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
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Recent Examples of unsavory
Why weren’t these unsavory tactics nipped in the bud?
—
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The recent document dump exposed the depth of ties between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein, revealing more unsavory details that have jolted the royal family, including an allegation that the former prince sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Layoff announcements hit an unsavory milestone in January Mass layoffs outlined last month by the likes of Amazon and UPS made for the worst January for job cut announcements since the Great Recession, new data showed Thursday.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Still other unsavory details have emerged.
—Anna Russell, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
The recent document dump exposed the depth of ties between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein, revealing more unsavory details that have jolted the royal family, including an allegation that the former prince sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010.
—Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Layoff announcements hit an unsavory milestone in January Mass layoffs outlined last month by the likes of Amazon and UPS made for the worst January for job cut announcements since the Great Recession, new data showed Thursday.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Still other unsavory details have emerged.
—Anna Russell, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
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While the in-arena plan does not include dancers, the promo has polarized the industry, with some arguing that the celebration is distasteful.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And really not detract from that with a distasteful joke.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Twin Cities,
5 Mar. 2026
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More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.—
Justin Callais,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Trapped allergens can affect the air quality in your bedroom, triggering congestion, scalp itching and irritation, not to mention unpleasant odors.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
So Miss Manners believes that your sister should apologize — not to her rude guest, but to the other guests, for having been subjected to such an unpleasant scene.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Once a go-to neutral, gray carpet has long since lost its charm; it's now linked to bland spaces that lack character.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
-
This one came off bland, with a sauce that bordered on soupy rather than creamy.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But, to her, the idea of leaving a review was unappetizing.—
James Doubek,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2026
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When Steve turns out to be more Hannibal Lecter than Prince Charming, their relationship takes an unappetizing turn.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Peters became a figure whose actions were not just unlawful but emblematic of broader threats to democratic norms.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
-
By sanctioning an unlawful deal, the government has created a legal impediment to petitioners' financial recovery.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
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
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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
Adjective
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But the size of the reserves means Zimbabwe’s foreign-exchange reserves would pay for only one and a half months’ worth of the country’s imports, a thin buffer compared with many peers that typically hold three months or more.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
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How to achieve blurred nails Once her prep is complete, Novakovic completes her blurred nails using two thin coats of Manucurist Active Blur.—
Dominic Cadogan,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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