1
as in unnecessary
not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end
uncalled-for restrictions on freedom of the press during the national emergency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rude
showing a lack of manners or consideration for others
hurtful remarks about a person's looks that are simply uncalled-for
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 uncalled-for
In an era in high school sports where boos, jeers, and uncalled-for chants are the status quo, Shelton steers fans to uplift rather than put down.
—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Don’t sit back and take an uncalled-for beating.
—
Jim Heininger,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
In addition, we are no longer viewed as a world leader but Russian President Vladimir Putin’s puppet and Mexico, Canada and China have fought back over an uncalled-for tariff war.
—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2025
Yeah, after putting in so much effort to make a delicious meal, that felt a little uncalled-for.
—
Bon Appétit,
16 Oct. 2024
Consult an attorney to discuss her behavior and find out how to defend your son from her uncalled-for attack.
—
Jeanne Phillips,
The Mercury News,
3 July 2024
This is absolutely unhinged, uncalled-for, unprecedented TV-writing behavior.
—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
16 June 2024
The affair led to uncalled-for attacks on Leviss, 29, by Sandoval, 40, and Madix, 38, the suit alleges.
—
Diana Dasrath,
NBC News,
29 Feb. 2024
The film does not hold life in particularly high esteem, leading to a rather predictable final stretch in which a succession of funerals is called for — plus one entirely uncalled-for sequence in which Oliver strips off his clothes and desecrates someone’s grave.
—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2023
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Don’t sit back and take an uncalled-for beating.
—
Jim Heininger,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
In addition, we are no longer viewed as a world leader but Russian President Vladimir Putin’s puppet and Mexico, Canada and China have fought back over an uncalled-for tariff war.
—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2025
Yeah, after putting in so much effort to make a delicious meal, that felt a little uncalled-for.
—
Bon Appétit,
16 Oct. 2024
Consult an attorney to discuss her behavior and find out how to defend your son from her uncalled-for attack.
—
Jeanne Phillips,
The Mercury News,
3 July 2024
This is absolutely unhinged, uncalled-for, unprecedented TV-writing behavior.
—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
16 June 2024
The affair led to uncalled-for attacks on Leviss, 29, by Sandoval, 40, and Madix, 38, the suit alleges.
—
Diana Dasrath,
NBC News,
29 Feb. 2024
The film does not hold life in particularly high esteem, leading to a rather predictable final stretch in which a succession of funerals is called for — plus one entirely uncalled-for sequence in which Oliver strips off his clothes and desecrates someone’s grave.
—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
31 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncalled-for
Adjective
-
In a separate case, Oren David Shachar of Van Nuys, Abraham Shin of Corona and Jeannie Choi of Torrance are accused of participating in a healthcare fraud scheme involving submitting false claims for medically unnecessary hospice care services.
-
Overcollection of personal information often indicates monetization through data sharing rather than delivering user value, creating unnecessary privacy and security risks.
Adjective
-
Due Amici brings Brooklyn roots and authenticity, right down to the counter service that’s not rude but not exactly warm.
-
It’s widely considered rude and annoying when people cluster by the train doors if there are more people on the platform attempting to get on.
Adjective
-
Skratch also interviewed other sources for its story who alleged infidelity by Mickelson amid abrupt endings of memberships at other golf clubs.
-
Following the abrupt dissolution of Disney’s $1 billion investment in OpenAI’s Sora text-to-video app, Shin stressed that there are no plans to use A24’s existing IP to create GenAI tools.
Adjective
-
Plus, that guy with no shirt was disrespectful.
-
For some, public criticism of the nation can feel disloyal or disrespectful.
Adjective
-
This tragedy serves as a powerful reminder that no family should have to bury a child because of someone’s thoughtless and irresponsible choices.
-
This rhetoric is not just the thoughtless ramblings of mindless partisans.
Adjective
-
Coaches Dawn Staley of South Carolina and Geno Auriemma of UConn had a heated courtside exchange afterward as Auriemma, in character, complained about the officiating and proved an ungracious loser, but at least apologized a day later.
-
This person was a guest in your home, and her behavior comes off as ungracious.
Adjective
-
Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.
-
In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.
Adjective
-
Sumner’s uncivil words against Butler provided Brooks with the opportunity to make up for a lifetime of misadventures.
-
Indeed, content analyses commonly show that about a fifth of all comments are somewhat uncivil.
Cite this Entry
“Uncalled-for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncalled-for. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
