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 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
This is absolutely unhinged, uncalled-for, unprecedented TV-writing behavior.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 16 June 2024
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
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
There has been a great deal of uncalled-for propaganda against the use of white lead because of its poisonous properties.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2023
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025
This is absolutely unhinged, uncalled-for, unprecedented TV-writing behavior.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 16 June 2024
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
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
There has been a great deal of uncalled-for propaganda against the use of white lead because of its poisonous properties.
—Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 14 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uncalled-for
Adjective
-
The critics would say: The post-credit scene where the goat goes to another team and immediately wins the MVP felt unnecessary.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
-
Skip to content All Sections Opinion Commentary Opinion State lawmakers are pushing unnecessary public pension bills that would increase taxpayers’ costs and debt Maintaining the PEPRA reforms is part of the state’s best hope for fully funding public pension benefits and eliminating debt.—
Zachary Christensen,
Oc Register,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
There is something shocking, almost rude, about comparing the aims of wardens and guards to those of curators and artists, but McKenzie has her reasons.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
-
But the 37-year-old doesn’t always see eye to eye with fans, at least not those who frequently heckle him, and Pham’s reaction is too often rude, crude and lewd.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
With his initial burst, Sanders can maneuver through gaps with abrupt hands/feet or change the line of scrimmage by quickly getting into a blocker’s chest.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Early action scenes are told in strangely oblique ways, with gunfire erupting off-screen (but little carnage shown) or else via abrupt cuts, filled in later by ultra-violent flashbacks.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Letting a house of that size sit untouched is an act of thoughtless extravagance.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
5 May 2025
-
The Twist in The Woman in the Yard Is a New Low for Trauma Horror Horror that’s really about trauma is now the norm, but there’s something particularly thoughtless about this film’s treatment of mental health.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
28 Mar. 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
-
In 2015, he was again alleged to be discourteous.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
He and other attendees were disrupted by unruly, uncivil pro-Palestinian protesters who attempted to take over the meeting to push their agenda.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Uncalled-for.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uncalled-for. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share