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

The number of drivers getting caught in unsavory circumstances in the backcountry has also increased in recent years, leading to more rescues. — Tiney Ricciardi, Denver Post, 25 June 2026

Ensuring that the everyday coat of crumbs, pet hair, and any other unsavory particulate has been removed is essential. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Daemon dispatches some unsavory, not overly bright fellows to break into the castle at King's Landing to kill Aemond. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 June 2026

Artificial intelligence tools have remarkably broad knowledge about the world, but some of it is unsavory or dangerous. — Kevin Schaul, Washington Post, 18 June 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