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ill-bred

adjective

ˈil-ˈbred How to pronounce ill-bred (audio)
Definition of ill-brednext
1
as in vulgar
lacking in refinement or good taste the ill-bred habit of chewing with the mouth open

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rude
showing a lack of manners or consideration for others only an ill-bred, conceited person would demand that everyone cater to their whims

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-bred
  1. vulgar
  2. rude
  3. crass
  4. thoughtless
  5. common
  6. unmannerly
  7. coarse
  8. uncouth
Adjective
  • Despite their pointy protrusions, the sculptures are not spiky enough to leave a mark; and despite their flirtations with touchy subject matter, none of the works—not even the 9/11 ones—are vulgar enough to get Wolfson in hot water.
    — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But Trump’s obsession with these vulgar memorials to his own vanity is a reminder of the darkness around him, of his hostility to democracy, his loathing of honor, and his disordered mind.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of vulgar
Adjective
  • But the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator knows his unit must show urgency and improvement Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders after a rude wake-up call in the season opener.
    — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Sanders would go so far as to kick out rude guests, former employees said.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of rude
Adjective
  • Murdoch is thick-skinned and accustomed to being underestimated by the condescending Brits, who see him as a crass interloper.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The vulnerability, the crass graffiti, the (lack of) cleanliness, uncomfortable toilet seats—the list of reasons is lengthy.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of crass
Adjective
  • Or maybe he was lured into his thoughtless comments because of the jocularity inside that room full of reporters.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • At the outset of this chatty novel, the protagonist, Caroline, who was recently ghosted by a thoughtless man, has had a story published in this magazine.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of thoughtless
Adjective
  • The vaccine is licensed for use against Ebola virus disease caused by the Zaire strain -- a different, more common type of Ebola virus.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Since sucking betel nuts is not common today, Brumm partnered with Professor Roger Papke, a neuropharmacological researcher at the University of Florida, to test whether the action could cause a drug effect ancient humans may have desired.
    — Pien Huang, NPR, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of common
Adjective
  • Criticizing gifts is unmannerly, and while one is not generally allowed to expect gifts, the rule can be bent in the case of romantic partners.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 23 July 2026
Definition of unmannerly
Adjective
  • So that’s one of the things is from a coarse grain scale, the wave-like pattern goes away.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The spray also helps eliminate frizz and resist humidity, so coarse hair looks polished rather than puffy after styling.
    — Polly Blitzer, Glamour, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of coarse
Adjective
  • People had used rude words on television before, but never in such uncouth tones as Lydon and Jones in a regional ITV interview on 1 December 1976.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026
  • His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of uncouth
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.

Browse Nearby Words

ill-boding
ill-bred
illegal
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Cite this Entry

“Ill-bred.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-bred. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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