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
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
-
Meanwhile, carbs are mostly unnecessary for cats and can cause additional health issues.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
This creates a pattern of frequently replacing your air freshener, inconsistent performance, and unnecessary waste.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Meeting a partner’s family can be challenging in any circumstance; anxieties about a family member saying something rude or belittling can only compound that.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Ohm, well played by Scott who can wither with you with a look, is the classic ugly American and is rude to everyone at the hotel, but those putdowns and cruelty hides his self loathing.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her time as first lady came to an abrupt and dramatic close in November 2000, when her father fled to Japan amid mounting controversy, resigning the presidency by fax from Tokyo.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 May 2026
-
No one wants to be abrupt and just hang up, but there might also be some one-upmanship lurking below the surface.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Desmon Yancy, 5th, called the Cottage Grove Avenue store closure disrespectful to the community.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Any team with Anthony Edwards on it will have some swagger, but this almost feels like the T-Wolves are being disrespectful to this challenger.—
David Troy,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This rhetoric is not just the thoughtless ramblings of mindless partisans.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
-
And that’s a pretty thoughtless way to approach a conflict that’s already killed so many.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
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.—
Greg Cote
April 5,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
This person was a guest in your home, and her behavior comes off as ungracious.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Some do this flippantly, but reader Robin suggested drivers who do this do not care and are flat-out discourteous.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
In 2014, he was found to have been discourteous and used force.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, content analyses commonly show that about a fifth of all comments are somewhat uncivil.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
-
History has shown us that giving government moral authority over its people is a route to an uncivil society.—
Charles F. Miller,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uncalled-for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncalled-for. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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