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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unsavory Taking to Instagram, the R&B singer reflected on both the positive and sometimes unsavory elements of her relationship with the Murder Inc. record label co-founder. Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025 There’s still a frequent unsavory whiff of exploitation and voyeurism to kidnapping films. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025 As an adult, Katt developed a reputation for taking on roles that required him to play unsavory types. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2025 Greg/Gary The White Lotus' resident big bad, Gary (formerly known as Greg), is obviously a suspect given his unsavory past and menacing aura. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
  • Brands like Rivian, Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet, and even Slate have a unique opportunity to gain market share as more and more American consumers find Tesla distasteful.
    Charles Singh, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The circumstances made Green’s comments all the more distasteful.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Even children and adolescents express more willingness to shun and punish moral transgressors than people who do something personally obnoxious or offensive but not immoral.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.
    Taylor Crumpton, Essence, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Doing so consumes water, requires the use of often eco-unfriendly cleansers, and adds an unpleasant task to janitors' daily duties.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But that’s another unpleasant truth that is best left unspoken.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In microgravity, foods tend to taste bland because of fluid shifts in our body and smells no longer wafting up into our nose.
    Robert Z. Pearlman, Space.com, 1 May 2025
  • Water that’s too hot will scorch them and make for a bitter brew; water that’s too cold will under-extract the leaves and yield a bland cup.
    Oset Babür-Winter, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Despite their unappetizing taste and tough texture, Osage orange fruits may still offer surprising benefits.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Until fairly recently, gluten-free options were both scarce and unappetizing.
    Sara Murphy, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That month, Drummond sued the board directly in the Oklahoma Supreme Court and asked it to rescind the charter contract and declare St. Isidore's establishment as a charter school unlawful.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Of note: Your Content must not be false, defamatory, misleading or hateful, or infringe any copyright or any other third-party rights or otherwise be unlawful.
    Catherine Pearson, New York Times, 29 Apr. 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 weakness of the Flash 22 is the shoulder straps, which are quite thin.
    Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 1 May 2025
  • 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, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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