unsavory

adjective

un·​sa·​vory ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē 

-ˈsāv-rē

1

: insipid, tasteless

2

a

: unpleasant to taste or smell

b

: disagreeable, distasteful

an unsavory assignment

especially : morally offensive

unsavory business practices

Synonyms of unsavory

• distasteful
• unappetizing
• unpalatable
• bad
• horrible
• nasty
• awful
• brackish
• filthy
• yucky
• obnoxious

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 on the Web

There were dozens of bizarre and unsavory figures in this world, like New Kids on the Block manager turned Ponzi fraudster Lou Pearlman. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026

The scene involves an unsavory routine on how to recognize a shoplifter. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026

The 25-year-old Indianapolis native plays Willa, the daughter of former revolutionaries DiCaprio and Taylor, who goes on the lam when unsavory characters from her parents’ past attempt to track her down. —Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026

Tom loves Las Vegas—the kitsch, the unsavory history—and seems almost protective of it. —Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unsavory

• proslavery
• antislavery
• bravery
• knavery
• savory
• slavery

Kids Definition

unsavory

adjective

un·​sa·​vory ˌən-ˈsāv(-ə)-rē 

ˈən-

1

: having little or no taste

2

: having a bad taste or smell

3

: morally bad