as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Here’s one from 2000 that was sustained – conduct unbecoming, for his behavior at an old Bickford’s on Gallivan Boulevard in Dorchester.
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Curtsies, snubs, sleights and behavior becoming (or unbecoming) of a Regency woman must pass a certain muster, because the world of the play is dependent upon dramaturgical accuracy.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
An investigation found that the detective, whose brother Brian Albert owned the home where John O'Keefe's body was found, behaved in a way that was unbecoming of a police officer and violated department policies about alcohol consumption or possession on the job.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
The reprimands that led to suspension Internal affairs investigators determined Stayton violated two rules during the protest – one for his use of force and another for unbecoming conduct.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
Curtsies, snubs, sleights and behavior becoming (or unbecoming) of a Regency woman must pass a certain muster, because the world of the play is dependent upon dramaturgical accuracy.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 Nov. 2025
An investigation found that the detective, whose brother Brian Albert owned the home where John O'Keefe's body was found, behaved in a way that was unbecoming of a police officer and violated department policies about alcohol consumption or possession on the job.
—Matt Schooley, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2025
The reprimands that led to suspension Internal affairs investigators determined Stayton violated two rules during the protest – one for his use of force and another for unbecoming conduct.
—Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
Adjective
-
There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
According to the report, 27% of AI toy responses were found to be entirely inappropriate for children.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Soils that are high in peat moss are unsuitable for citrus trees.—
Derek Carwood,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Jan. 2026
-
These tests, though frequently used in Denmark as part of child protection investigations, were criticized as inappropriate and unsuitable for the people of Greenland and other minorities.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Typically, the inspector general investigates schemes defrauding Medicare, improper payments -- such as to insurance companies to cover Medicaid members who had died -- and whether states are doing adequate oversight of providers in their borders.—
Meg Wingerter,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Chicago Inspector General Deborah Witzburg is also looking into the issue, initially identifying nearly 1,000 potentially improper PPP loans involving city employees.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Responses can be incorrect, activations trigger the wrong content, and the voice recognition features are often inoperable.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
22 Jan. 2026
-
In many cases, the issue is something simple, like an incorrect address or a piece of mail that went astray.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The candidacy challenge contends that Wilcox used the wrong form to file for office in December and left off information that was required.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
An Amazon driver accompanied by her 16-year-old son came under fire after accidentally stopping at the wrong house in rural North Carolina, according to investigators.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
To receive one of these designations from a doctor in this era was to be marked as unfit for society and a candidate for potential institution and sterilization.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
6 Dec. 2025
-
Families of victims, human rights defenders and international bodies such as the UN have criticized the commissions for a lack of transparency, for being ineffective and ultimately unfit for delivering accountability.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This is a no-win situation because one of us will end up unhappy.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
The automaker spent much of the year undoing decisions made by the previous CEO, Carlos Tavares, who resigned at the end of 2024, as stakeholders in the company — from dealers to union rank and file — were upset with him and unhappy with his leadership.—
Liam Rappleye,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 24 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
