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
And over the years, governments have occasionally excused instances of discrimination and unsavory practices so long as they are rooted in religious belief.
—
Kristen Martin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Or does Lux ask us to crane our necks to appreciate base human longing that presents in ecstatic and horrific manifestations, in the hunger for all sorts of holy and unsavory connections?
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Mamdani initially tried to stay on-message, offering a quick disavowal of an unsavory association or controversial past statement and pivoting back his agenda.
—Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
One of the best parts to it are the recollections from his Little Italy friends and relatives, many of whom served as inspiration for his sometimes unsavory characters.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Kristen Martin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Or does Lux ask us to crane our necks to appreciate base human longing that presents in ecstatic and horrific manifestations, in the hunger for all sorts of holy and unsavory connections?
—Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Mamdani initially tried to stay on-message, offering a quick disavowal of an unsavory association or controversial past statement and pivoting back his agenda.
—Ben Adler, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025
One of the best parts to it are the recollections from his Little Italy friends and relatives, many of whom served as inspiration for his sometimes unsavory characters.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 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
-
In addition to being immoral, CFA’s support for BDS likely violates state law, AB 2844, which prohibits California from contracting with entities that engage in discrimination, including against Jews or Israelis.—
Mark Pinkert,
Oc Register,
23 Dec. 2025
-
The film follows the deliciously immoral, widowed Lady Susan Vernon (Kate Beckinsale), who maneuvers, deceives and seduces her way through London and across her relatives' country estates in an effort to find a wealthy husband for herself and her daughter, Frederica (Morfydd Clark).—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Using a speaker outside the stall results in reverb and echoing as the music bounces around the bathroom walls, making the sound muddy and unpleasant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Given the lack of gravity, even a runny nose can turn into an extremely unpleasant experience, forcing astronauts to resort to unusual measures just to drain mucus from their nasal passages.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Democrat Gray Davis, to name a recent example, had an extensive background in government and politics and a bland demeanor that suggested his first name was also a fitting adjective.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Is there an unwritten rule about being a bland professional and not showing any personality?—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Flowers are pasted all over it, seemingly at random, and strings of them fall off the hem in an unappetizing way.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2026
-
How to Get More Walnuts Into Your Diet If eating a handful of raw walnuts is unappetizing, there are countless ways to add walnuts to your diet—from topping salads and oatmeal, blending them in a smoothie, or roasting them for a healthy snack.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
12 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Troopers also seized an unregistered gun and ammunition from Cook, who is charged with trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2026
-
But once those moratoriums ended in 2023, unlawful detainers (a type of notice that can lead to eviction) doubled from June 2022 to June 2023.—
Saumya Roy,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
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
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Yimobra Memory Foam Bath Mat, $9 with Prime The bath mat is made from memory foam that feels plush underfoot and cushions each step, unlike thin cotton mats.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share