Synonyms of unbecoming

unbecoming

adjective

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ 

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• improper
• incorrect
• wrong
• unfit
• unhappy
• irrelevant
• unseemly
• indecorous
• unfortunate
• incongruous
• out of the way
• unacceptable
• out of place
• untoward
• infelicitous
• inapt
• graceless
• perverse
• amiss
• inept
• inapposite
• inconsistent
• unapt
• bad
• awkward
• malapropos
• naughty
• unseasonable
• inapplicable
• inopportune
• untimely
• immaterial
• extraneous
• sinful
• uncongenial
• forbidden
• censurable
• incompatible
• mismatched
• blamable
• prohibited
• irrelative
• ungraceful
• blameworthy
• unsatisfactory
• barred
• gauche
• misbecoming
• proscribed
• disallowed
• outlawed
• banned
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appropriate
• becoming
• suitable
• proper
• fitting
• correct
• right
• meet
• relative
• genteel
• relevant
• decorous
• happy
• applicable
• fit
• felicitous
• timely
• apt
• fortunate
• befitting
• seasonable
• opportune
• congenial
• permitted
• seemly
• apposite
• material
• compatible
• harmonious
• pointed
• acceptable
• pat
• authorized
• satisfactory
• endorsed
• adequate
• fine
• all right
• licensed
• approved
• promoted
• germane
• tolerable
• kosher
• respectable
• sanctioned
• allowed
• supported
• OK
• decent
• commendable
• exemplary
• apropos
• creditable
• passable
• irreproachable
• encouraged
• blameless
• balanced
• consonant
• abetted
• congruous
• companionate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unbecoming differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unbecoming are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When might improper be a better fit than unbecoming?

The words improper and unbecoming are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When would indecorous be a good substitute for unbecoming?

The meanings of indecorous and unbecoming largely overlap; however, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When could indelicate be used to replace unbecoming?

The synonyms indelicate and unbecoming are sometimes interchangeable, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of unbecoming?

While the synonyms unseemly and unbecoming are close in meaning, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unbecoming

The American pilot and his navigator were tried and found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter and negligent homicide, but they were later found guilty of obstruction of justice and conduct unbecoming of an officer for the destruction of a videotape of the incident. —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 3 Feb. 2026

Finally on December 2, 1954, by a vote of 67-22, the Senate censured McCarthy for unbecoming conduct. —Chris John Amorosino, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2026

Yet Hiller’s latest equivocating mea culpa, with the now-familiar language of hardship and defeatism so unbecoming of a professional hockey team, rang unconvincing. —Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 13 Jan. 2026

Even so, David’s push for recognition struck some in the industry as unbecoming. —Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2026