Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unbecoming differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unbecoming are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When might improper be a better fit than unbecoming?

The words improper and unbecoming are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When would indecorous be a good substitute for unbecoming?

The meanings of indecorous and unbecoming largely overlap; however, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When could indelicate be used to replace unbecoming?

The synonyms indelicate and unbecoming are sometimes interchangeable, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of unbecoming?

While the synonyms unseemly and unbecoming are close in meaning, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

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 unbecoming But again and again, the Quatuor Diotima tore into music of unforced content with unbecoming fury. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2022 This dog-run infighting is unbecoming in the presence of a dog that was once painted by Edgar Degas. Curbed, 20 July 2022 The sheriff’s internal review of the Floyd meme concluded that Ritchie engaged in unbecoming conduct, immoral conduct and discrimination. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2022 The Rutgers existence was unbecoming of an NBA franchise. Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
Adjective
  • Outrageous videos of purple-haired teachers voicing deeply political and inappropriate content on social media often reach millions of people, creating the false impression that teachers are generally unhinged and want to use their perch to push a personal agenda.
    Carrie Lukas, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Last season, Horner also came under scrutiny during an investigation into inappropriate and controlling behavior towards a female employee.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Washing Windows Cleaning windows works best in good lighting to achieve a streak-free finish, making nighttime an unsuitable time for the task.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025
  • Directed by Joseph Kahn, the clip features guest appearances from Marlon Lundgren Garcia and MrBeast, who play unsuitable prospects for the singer.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 29-year-old man from Lisle was arrested on charges of improper lane usage, speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol at 12:27 a.m. July 1 at East Chicago Avenue and South Naper Boulevard.
    Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • While these tools can help employers screen more job candidates and help identify relevant experience, human resources and legal experts warn improper training and implementation of hiring technologies can proliferate biases.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Rumors the man lost a limb are incorrect, friends of the victim with Raw Surf posted on the business' Facebook page.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 8 July 2025
  • An online commercial real estate site, LoopNet.com, still showed the theater property as up for auction Thursday, but Robinson said the listing is incorrect.
    Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • However, according to the Baseball Rules Academy, the umpires got the call wrong.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2025
  • One of the company’s big assumptions about the phone had turned out to be wrong.
    Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Adjective
  • Newcastle was eight games into the 2020-21 season with no wins to its name, its squad unfit and directionless.
    Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • But the dreamscape is an airless place, unfit for permanent residence.
    Book Marks July 3, Literary Hub, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • This gives the creditor an additional target to pursue and make very unhappy which can indirectly put pressure on the debtor to pay the judgment.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Circulation increased and the publication won two Pulitzer Prizes, but the owner, conservative Harry Guggenheim, was unhappy with the paper’s shift to the left, and he and Moyers were divided over the Vietnam War and the 1968 presidential election.
    Carmel Dagan, Variety, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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