1
as in distasteful
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste
an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
unsavory doings that ruined the couple's good name in the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
hated the whole unsavory business of firing people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor
the unsavory food dished up at the rest area's restaurant should be consumed only by the truly desperate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsavory
Americans still considered spying on adversaries unsavory, but their government simply wasn’t doing that much of it.
—
James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
As promised, High Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) has closed Jezebel's, circumventing the rebellion's plot to massacre Gilead's most unsavory leaders.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 May 2025
The reporters decided to publish Cohen’s name to illustrate the unsavory methods political operatives utilize to badmouth opponents.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
What critics once dismissed as crypto’s unsavory use case has evolved into its most compelling product market fit.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
As promised, High Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) has closed Jezebel's, circumventing the rebellion's plot to massacre Gilead's most unsavory leaders.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 May 2025
The reporters decided to publish Cohen’s name to illustrate the unsavory methods political operatives utilize to badmouth opponents.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
What critics once dismissed as crypto’s unsavory use case has evolved into its most compelling product market fit.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
There’s nothing wrong with the latter, but there is something distasteful about pursuing it under the guise of being a nonprofit organization.—
Parmy Olson,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2025
-
His style was distasteful and inappropriate, to be sure, but the choice to protect a teammate who is so routinely mocked by fans and opposing players alike (see below) was noticed and appreciated within the Timberwolves’ locker room.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the age of print, Hamburg was the birthplace of magazine publishing, and Paris the birthplace of the literary review and the gossip rag; but restless, immoral London was where the advice column first transformed people’s private lives into object lessons for ethical behavior.—
Merve Emre,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
The film gathers immoral cops, ruthless women and corrupt politicians to complete the world of populist cinema based in hinterlands of India.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
-
People did not bathe much in those days and by spreading herbs that released pleasant aromas when walked upon, unpleasant odors could be disguised.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
12 June 2025
-
There are some cool moments here, but the overall effect is unpleasant.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Adjective
-
But products also became more bland, predictable and stripped of individuality.—
Wolfgang Messner,
The Conversation,
2 June 2025
-
The show never figures out what to do with Alvarez’s Gael, leaving a bland center to several more of those twists in the last episode.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Think eggs to order but fiction, served on the same plate as the most unappetizing breakfast imaginable.—
Elisabeth Egan,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
-
Even if Cameron is fortunate enough to avert further unrest, the menu for the remainder of his term remains an unappetizing mix of austerity and vague appeals for moral renewal.—
Jonathan Hopkin,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Aug. 2011
Adjective
-
She was convicted in 1995 on nine charges, including conspiracy to remove body parts and unlawful authorization of the removal of eyes, hearts, lungs and brains from corpses.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
16 June 2025
-
Nonetheless, this latest ruling may embolden such plaintiffs in California and elsewhere to assert unlawful discrimination claims with greater confidence and, perhaps, greater frequency.—
Dan Eaton,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.—
Eric Tegler,
Popular Mechanics,
1 Oct. 2019
-
His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
1 Feb. 2018
Adjective
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
-
For hours when her mother was at work at the accounting office, Lin crouched by the side of the thin stream, watching the fish.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 21 Jun. 2025.
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