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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsavory
Launching an aerial war against Iran serves to pull some attention away from that unsavory topic, at least for the time being.
—
Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
This isn’t the first time the Disturbia actor has been embroiled in unsavory dealings.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Something unsavory is afoot in Hollywood, according to Matthew McConaughey.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
Bell and Turner expertly convey the charisma of Jack and Ed while also revealing that there’s something a little unsavory about them both.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
This isn’t the first time the Disturbia actor has been embroiled in unsavory dealings.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Something unsavory is afoot in Hollywood, according to Matthew McConaughey.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
Bell and Turner expertly convey the charisma of Jack and Ed while also revealing that there’s something a little unsavory about them both.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
Ornamental onions, chives, and spring onions produce a scent and flavor that squirrels find distasteful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That’s a very distasteful election-year predicament for many.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lawyers for the church argue that Morris’ agreements with the church preclude him from those benefits if he was fired or resigned because of immoral behavior.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Michigan State Police said Robert Wilson, 44, of Gaylord, was arrested on March 25 and lodged at the Otsego County Jail on one charge each of accosting a minor for immoral purposes and using a computer to commit a crime.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The response from me is very unpleasant, and then my husband gets all uncomfortable.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Finally, a carbon filter is used to eliminate odors such as ammonia, cigarette smoke, hydrogen sulfide, and other pollutants that emit unpleasant smells.—
John R. Delaney,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The peas lift the dish out of bland mode and into something colorful and fresh.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Going super matchy-matchy with furniture makes a room look bland and even boring.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The administration has asked for an astonishing $200 billion to fund a war that the president also sporadically claims is over, giving legislators an unappetizing choice between funding a quagmire or else walking away and leaving a mess behind.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Reaching for your leftover guacamole and discovering it’s turned an unappetizing shade of brown after a day in the fridge.—
Olivia Tarantino,
Martha Stewart,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Under Texas law, a contract signed under duress is generally voidable if it was obtained through an improper or unlawful threat that overrode the signer’s free will.—
Chase Rogers,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Violating that trust is both cruel and unlawful.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Usually a team of elegant offense, Michigan instead clanked 13 triples off the rim and relied on its inside defensive ferocity to win a game nearly as aesthetically unpleasing as UConn’s 53-41 win over Butler in 2011.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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Rosemary makes one of the best companion plants for apple trees because of its strong scent that's unpleasing to critters looking to snack on a juicy red apple.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Life360 Ultra Slim Bluetooth Tracker The Tile Slim is a credit-card-thin tracker for your essentials.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Winter can leave lawns patchy, beds overgrown and mulch looking thin.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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