unsavory

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adjective un·sa·vory \ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē, -ˈsāv-rē\

Definition of unsavory

1 : insipid, tasteless
2a : unpleasant to taste or smellb : disagreeable, distasteful an unsavory assignment; especially : morally offensive unsavory business practices

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Examples of unsavory in a Sentence

He is an unsavory character.
an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor

Recent Examples of unsavory from the Web

All in all, a relaxing humdrum Sunday during a popular holiday weekend that has, in the almost-distant past, created unsavory headlines.

— joey flechas, martin vassolo and glenn garvin, miamiherald, "Big crowds, little trouble as Miami Beach hosts both an air show and Urban Beach Week", 28 May 2017
To claim that Navigator is the better browser and that Microsoft got its share of the market through unsavory tactics is one thing.

— wired staff, WIRED, "Rants & Raves", 1 July 1998

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unsavory'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.