as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
chose a bizarrely unstylish hairstyle for the Halloween party
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Recent Examples of unstylish
Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 GTX Waterproof Hiking Boots Hiking boots don’t need to be frumpy and unstylish—just look at this adorable pair that’s now up to 59 percent off just in time for the Fourth of July.
—
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The sequences in which the crew shoots the movie also provide some of the most memorable technical flourishes for a film that’s largely sturdy and relatively unstylish, and Saleh has a bit of fun staging his tense thriller on some cheap looking soundstages.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
The piece is an antique that wasn't fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023
Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022
Hearing aids aren't cool: From Bluetooth capabilities to jewelry and charms, Dorn hopes to bust the myth that hearing aids are unstylish.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022
The alternative of using a single mirror would require a thick lens—resulting in bulky, unstylish AR glasses.
—Ari Grobman, Forbes, 19 July 2022
Bug jackets or head nets are unstylish but effective, and splashing on some deet makes a difference, too.
—Eva Holland, Outside Online, 22 June 2020
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The sequences in which the crew shoots the movie also provide some of the most memorable technical flourishes for a film that’s largely sturdy and relatively unstylish, and Saleh has a bit of fun staging his tense thriller on some cheap looking soundstages.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
The piece is an antique that wasn't fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023
Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022
Hearing aids aren't cool: From Bluetooth capabilities to jewelry and charms, Dorn hopes to bust the myth that hearing aids are unstylish.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022
The alternative of using a single mirror would require a thick lens—resulting in bulky, unstylish AR glasses.
—Ari Grobman, Forbes, 19 July 2022
Bug jackets or head nets are unstylish but effective, and splashing on some deet makes a difference, too.
—Eva Holland, Outside Online, 22 June 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstylish
Adjective
-
The decision in Gardner’s favor could become a significant ruling for celebrities who use humor, exaggeration and sarcasm that some might find inappropriate when responding to strangers on social media platforms.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
25 Sep. 2025
-
That Arthur, as the eldest, will inherit the brewery seems a bit inappropriate.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever Gentiles might have thought in private, the Nazis had made overt antisemitism unfashionable, even odious.—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Google was an early entrant in 2013 with Google Glass, although that device was unpopular with consumers because of its high price, unfashionable look, limited functionality and short battery life.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The environment, rich in chemicals and low in oxygen due to bacterial mats, was unsuitable for scavengers.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Due to the approaching darkness and unsuitable weather conditions, rescuers could not be deployed that night out of concern for their safety.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The remarks were interpreted by many on the right as an incorrect classification of Robinson’s beliefs and a direct or indirect placement of blame for Kirk’s murder on extreme-right politics.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The employee later said Buttgereit had the right to dispute the bill but gave her an incorrect deadline.—
Katheryn Houghton,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Once known for dowdy packaging and perhaps questionable tastes or ingredients, the products now compete with national name brands, sparking a shakeup among major food companies.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Defense leaders have sat on their hands, refusing to acknowledge the need for dowdy, run-of-the-mill tankers.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Too many projects still aim at the wrong problem from day one.—
Mike Hoffman,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Gap Tie-front Woven Maxi Dress A white cotton dress will never steer you wrong.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the most common mineral filters, are notoriously finicky ingredients—the thick white powders are cosmetically inelegant and prone to leaving white casts, particularly on deeper skin tones.—
Dani Hardman,
Allure,
15 Sep. 2025
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A certain inelegant hastiness in the plot has been resolved by treating the monologues almost as arias, giving them each an equal sense of grandeur, like the relentless finale of a fireworks display.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When Jean arrived with Wole, before the sun was high-hot, Kelly was already there, sitting tacky under Mickey Martinez’s arm, inside his red F-150, the boat hitched behind.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
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The bond is infused with biotin to nourish while gripping lash clusters securely, and the seal is enriched with vitamin E to eliminate tacky residue and keep everything looking seamless.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstylish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstylish. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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