unceremonious

adjective

un·​cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous ˌən-ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs How to pronounce unceremonious (audio)
1
: not ceremonious : informal
2
: abrupt, rude
an unceremonious dismissal
unceremoniously adverb
unceremoniousness noun

Examples of unceremonious in a Sentence

His unceremonious dismissal by the new boss surprised everybody. my polite request was met with an unceremonious refusal
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When the captain, in a show of stereotypical arrogance, ignores his first officer’s reservations about their trajectory, their little collegial quarrel is definitively resolved by an unceremonious and fiery plunge to earth. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025 Zhang destroyed Smith in the first round, leaving him bloodied in the middle of the Octagon, ushering the veteran of 60 pro MMA fights out of the sport in the most unceremonious way possible. Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 The Houston Rockets' season came crashing to an unceremonious end Sunday. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025 And despite only playing three times since his last win on Feb. 22 — Gustavsson has started 13 of the past 14 games — Fleury has not outwardly shown any disappointment despite the unceremonious way his career is coming to an end. Michael Russo, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unceremonious

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unceremonious was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Unceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unceremonious. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

unceremonious

adjective
un·​cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous ˌən-ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs How to pronounce unceremonious (audio)
: acting without or lacking ordinary courtesy : abrupt
an unceremonious departure
unceremoniously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on unceremonious

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