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
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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
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Recent Examples of uncalled-for
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
The reality star perfectly responded to rude commenters this week who made uncalled-for remarks about her appearance.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Mar. 2023
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
The reality star perfectly responded to rude commenters this week who made uncalled-for remarks about her appearance.
—Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncalled-for
Adjective
-
Brown dropped an easy pass, then also failed to get upfield on a different third-down throw that put the offense in an unnecessary fourth-down situation.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If only the series had more faith in its viewers to appreciate that vision without the unnecessary noise of a biker gang spinning its wheels.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This question becomes thornier once Dorotea visits Rocca in prison, finding her rude and abrasive though not irrational.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Aug. 2025
-
Are people getting ruder these days?—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
After reviewing former Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen’s explanation of his abrupt resignation, a Hamilton County judge has agreed to block attorneys’ attempts to question the long-time head of the supermarket giant about his departure from the retailer in open court.—
Alexander Coolidge,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Just six months ago, Mako could not be touched on his face without showing his teeth and would react to any abrupt hand movements.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Seattle might not be a Super Bowl contender, but ranking the Seahawks 20th — three spots behind the last-place Arizona Cardinals, mind you — definitely feels pretty disrespectful.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Rachel then called him disrespectful.—
David Wysong,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Boiled down to a thoughtless pervert by the public, Six became one.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
21 Aug. 2025
-
In the days depicted in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, thoughtless incarceration of the mentally ill was too common.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
Adjective
-
But, even though there was nothing the slightest bit ungracious or ungenerous about her performance, it was felt more like the audience being asked to come to her.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Trump, in turn, canceled the additional metals tariff, reverting to his original 25 percent imposition, and then took his predictably ungracious victory lap.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The main point is to avoid being discourteous of the people behind us by letting the door close in their respective faces.—
R. Eric Thomas,
The Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But its lessons may be useful in these unsteady days, too, with our own uncivil Court.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
-
At the same time, uncivil language can deepen divisions and make people lose trust in democratic processes.—
Yu-Ru Lin,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncalled-for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncalled-for. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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