unsavory

adjective

ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē How to pronounce unsavory (audio)
Definition of unsavorynext
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

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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

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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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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

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 Continuing any unsavory conduct right under my nose is probably a form of calling my bluff at this point. — Melissa Willets, Parents, 19 July 2026 Social media has teemed with unsavory videos of Argentinean misbehavior in the stadiums, including fans hurling racial epithets at a Black American influencer and showering Egyptians with beer. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026 Moreover, a host of unsavory characters from Britain’s criminal underworld want a piece of the operation. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 9 July 2026 The goal of providing that commentary is to assure the market that the CFO switch isn’t related to anything unsavory happening with the accounting book. — Zev Fima,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
  1. distasteful
  2. immoral
  3. unpleasant
  4. bland
  5. unappetizing
  6. unlawful
  7. unpleasing
  8. thin
Adjective
  • For some, evoking death and sacrifice was perplexing and distasteful; a step too far.
    — Harry Booth, Time, 17 July 2026
  • South Florida beaches have been inundated by waves of sargassum in recent weeks — while visually distasteful to some, the seaweed is not usually harmful to humans, and occupies a critical niche in marine ecosystems.
    — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Definition of distasteful
Adjective
  • When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • In the realms of art, literature, film, and television, words and images that would once have been considered indecent, offensive, or immoral are now commonplace, especially in the West.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Cleanup Challenges Cleaning up after your home has been inundated with smoke from wildfires is unpleasant, difficult and potentially unhealthy.
    — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Now over time in retirement, daily life has become unpleasant.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of unpleasant
Adjective
  • Despite his top billing and his undeniable curmudgeon charisma, even Dern ends up underserved by a role that is eventually reduced to so much benign backdrop for a much blander hero’s journey.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In terms of texture and flavor, these bite-size pancakes range from fluffy to pasty, sweet to bland, terrific to just barely edible.
    — Jolene Thym, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of bland
Adjective
  • The sugars react during high-heat cooking, causing potatoes to brown excessively and develop an unappetizing dark color or blotchy brown patches.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Unfortunately, that also unleashed endless talk, not only about restaurants, but also about diets, nutrition, gastric symptoms, preferences, prohibitions and other unappetizing subjects.
    — Judith Martin, Mercury News, 27 July 2026
Definition of unappetizing
Adjective
  • The party also viewed Yabloko’s stance on Ukraine as unlawful and tantamount to calling for the violation of Russia’s territorial integrity.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The duo and two others, Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, were hit with the worst charges — felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and other related offenses.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Adjective
  • The identity of the unpleasing Lindsay Marriott’s slayer has no pressing interest.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The remarks not only referred to the aesthetics of the game – tedious matches devoid of skillful merit that were unpleasing to watch.
    — Cesar R. Torres, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
Definition of unpleasing
Adjective
  • Handling compliments about weight loss The pressure to be thinner is reinforced when someone loses weight, whether from a GLP-1 or any other reason.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The depth there was already thin even before the Dexter Lawrence trade or Roy Robertson-Harris injury.
    — Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of thin

Browse Nearby Words

unsatisfied
unsavory
unsay
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Cite this Entry

“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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