distasteful

adjective

(ˌ)dis-ˈtāst-fəl How to pronounce distasteful (audio)
Definition of distastefulnext
1
as in unpalatable
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste cod-liver oil is so distasteful that it's worse than anything it cures

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2
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses concerned mothers who find some recent musical trends distasteful

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3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the distasteful nature of his job as a bill collector

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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 distasteful Susie, who liked telling stories, would probably tell another friend about this friend of hers at the repair event who had insisted on telling her a quite distasteful story about a mortician. — Lydia Davis, New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2026 This distasteful interlude cuts back to Reacher and Green continuing to interrogate Ahlquist. — Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026 The controversy goes beyond the fact that many may find Muehl’s artwork involving graphic nudity, violence, and the use of blood and excrement as materials distasteful. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far. — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distasteful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distasteful
  1. unpalatable
  2. unpleasant
  3. disgusting
  4. unappetizing
  5. unpleasing
  6. ugly
  7. horrible
  8. harsh
Adjective
  • Accommodation with the Houthis after more than a dozen civilians were killed in the airport attacks would be unpalatable.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously signaled that the White House is cautious about pushing too hard in defiance of the bond market—even if a hold or a hike in the base rate is politically unpalatable.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpalatable
Adjective
  • George is being extremely unpleasant toward everyone and seems to be moving toward a breakdown.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Consumers across the country have described to CBS California Investigates, and in hundreds of online reviews, their unpleasant experiences at the stores, alleging they were pressured to make purchases worth thousands of dollars.
    — Amy Corral, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Not only has the gimmick run stale, but her insistence on upping the ante year after year, creating costumes that are increasingly bizarre and disgusting, is a threat to us all.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The actions of their fans, especially their supporter group, was disgusting.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • This results in a watery, unappetizing texture, according to Southern Living.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sugars react during high-heat cooking, causing potatoes to brown excessively and develop an unappetizing dark color or blotchy brown patches.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of unappetizing
Adjective
  • The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of unpleasing
Adjective
  • The league and its players’ union are heading for an ugly fight, years in the making.
    — Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Cooling plates manage heat during normal operation, while passive barriers and electrical isolation are designed to contain the ugly edge cases that Beta’s testing process intentionally triggers.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Their monthlong travel by ship was under horrible conditions.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the fire was horrible, Hong said some blessings have emerged from the tragedy.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • However, perovskites are notoriously vulnerable to moisture and harsh chemical environments, posing a clear problem in seawater.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • With another harsh winter approaching, those still there face death from hunger or disease.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of harsh

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Cite this Entry

“Distasteful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distasteful. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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