1
as in distasteful
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste
an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
unsavory doings that ruined the couple's good name in the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
hated the whole unsavory business of firing people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor
the unsavory food dished up at the rest area's restaurant should be consumed only by the truly desperate
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 unsavory
It was published in 1975, just two months after the Manila fight, with a mandate from Ali’s handlers to scrub unsavory elements of his life.
—
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Ensuring that the everyday coat of crumbs, pet hair, and any other unsavory particulate has been removed is essential.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers immediately fired Mizuhara; investigations were launched by MLB and the IRS; and five days later, Ohtani issued a statement denying any role in a scandal that echoed unsavory chapters of the sport’s past.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
The problem with that perspective is that if a user enters a prompt of some untoward nature, the odds are that society would expect the AI maker to have detected the unsavory matter.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
Ensuring that the everyday coat of crumbs, pet hair, and any other unsavory particulate has been removed is essential.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025
The Dodgers immediately fired Mizuhara; investigations were launched by MLB and the IRS; and five days later, Ohtani issued a statement denying any role in a scandal that echoed unsavory chapters of the sport’s past.
—David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025
The problem with that perspective is that if a user enters a prompt of some untoward nature, the odds are that society would expect the AI maker to have detected the unsavory matter.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
But Republicans were determined to use the revenue produced by a cap to pay for marginal rate cuts that Democrats found distasteful.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
-
The artwork — a graphic close-up shot of a tiny American flag bikini on a woman’s pelvic area — was considered so distasteful by some that chain stores like Walmart and Kmart banned it at the time.—
David Browne,
Rolling Stone,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That suits its otherworldly and somewhat formal tone, which takes viewers deep into Japan’s mythical past for a quartet of eerie tales about lonely ghosts and vengeful spirits who bring supernatural justice to selfish and immoral humans.—
Katie Rife,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The committee voted to ask Attorney General Josh Kaul to opine on whether grooming falls under the statute related to immoral conduct, which allows DPI to revoke a license if an educator violates it.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Its natural deodorizing properties help neutralize the unpleasant smells associated with pets, according to Stein.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
1 Nov. 2025
-
The 75-year-old ginkgo trees have been wafting the unpleasant smell into the air at the Northern California park, forcing residents to brave the stench that is comparable to vomit, The Sacramento Bee and SFGATE report.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Super Chai Fuel was a touch bland, but could be a good option for those who prefer something less sweet.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Oct. 2025
-
If your instinct, in other words, is to smooth things over with a bland fabrication, try dropping a tiny truth bomb instead.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
One of the running gags of the Space Race was the unappetizing nature of the food astronauts packed for their trip to the Moon.—
David Szondy
October 19,
New Atlas,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Among the all-natural brands, the color might seem anathema, even unappetizing.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Christina Leona Cowens, 41, was initially arrested last week on suspicion of felony grand theft, along with misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of human remains and attempting to conceal a death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Several organizations have sued the administration, saying the cancellations were unlawful and that they are owed thousands of dollars in outstanding expenses.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.—
Eric Tegler,
Popular Mechanics,
1 Oct. 2019
-
His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
1 Feb. 2018
Adjective
-
At Paradromics, researchers have developed a chip with thinner wires than the Utah array, something that reduces, but does not eliminate, the damage done to brain tissue.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
This recipe calls for fresh tomatillos, which look like small green tomatoes wrapped in thin papery skin.—
Patricia S York,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share