unceremonious

adjective

ˌən-ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs How to pronounce unceremonious (audio)
Definition of unceremoniousnext
1
as in abrupt
being or characterized by direct, brief, and potentially rude speech or manner my polite request was met with an unceremonious refusal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in informal
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules her unceremonious approach to her hosting duties puts party guests immediately at ease

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 unceremonious Billie’s mission to become an expert barrel racer ends with an unceremonious fall in the arena. — Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 12 May 2026 Riley sails on, prow forward, fighting to avoid the Imagination’s unceremonious fate, not quitting, not wishing to be retired, but battling time. — Greg Cote april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026 An unceremonious dumping ground for the sort of horror movies most people can live without, Q1 has long functioned as a graveyard for the genre. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 1 Apr. 2026 Matos is only 24 and still has promising tools, but his hastened development leads to an unceremonious exit from San Francisco. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unceremonious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unceremonious
  1. abrupt
  2. informal
  3. blunt
  4. unconventional
  5. short
Adjective
  • Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered peacefully in the German capital for the annual Christopher Street Day celebrations, one of Europe's largest LGBTQ events, before the apparent attack brought it to an abrupt end.
    — Reuters, USA Today, 26 July 2026
  • Soto’s abrupt departure Friday didn’t help a Mets offense that managed only one run over seven innings against 24-year-old Dodgers flamethrower Roki Sasaki, who struck out nine.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026
Definition of abrupt
Adjective
  • But in recent years, the informal community has become more active — and, at times, more divisive.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
  • What if every leader was expected to create transparent pathways for growth instead of relying on informal networks and chance opportunities?
    — Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of informal
Adjective
  • But critics say the changes aim to solve problems that either don’t exist or don’t require such a blunt-force tool.
    — Lisa Song, CNN Money, 28 July 2026
  • The autopsy report determined that both young women died from multiple sharp force injuries, with additional contributors to Kaylee’s death including blunt force injuries of the head and asphyxial injuries.
    — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
Definition of blunt
Adjective
  • Halsey takes an unconventional approach to a button-up top at Guizo’s new flagship store in Los Angeles on July 23.
    — People Staff, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Environmental regulations were already in place in 2008 when the unconventional Marcellus Shale gas boom began, but conventional drilling dates to the Drake well in 1859 – long before modern environmental oversight existed.
    — Nathaniel Warner, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Definition of unconventional
Adjective
  • Lavish in convenience, the property is a short walk away to the Bedford Avenue subway stop, the vast and lively McCarren Park, and close to the border of the ever-evolving Greenpoint neighborhood.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026
  • The new short film by writer-director Maggie Gyllenhaal will premiere at the 2026 Venice International Film Festival.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026
Definition of short

Browse Nearby Words

uncelebrated
unceremonious
unceremoniously
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unceremonious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unceremonious. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on unceremonious

Nglish: Translation of unceremonious for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of sultry

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All