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
Despite concerns about his boorish behavior, questionable business dealings and unsavory friends, Andrew spent 10 years as Britain’s special envoy for international trade and remained a prince of the realm until the details of his relationship with Epstein were revealed last year.
—
ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
There were dozens of bizarre and unsavory figures in this world, like New Kids on the Block manager turned Ponzi fraudster Lou Pearlman.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
The scene involves an unsavory routine on how to recognize a shoplifter.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The 25-year-old Indianapolis native plays Willa, the daughter of former revolutionaries DiCaprio and Taylor, who goes on the lam when unsavory characters from her parents’ past attempt to track her down.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
There were dozens of bizarre and unsavory figures in this world, like New Kids on the Block manager turned Ponzi fraudster Lou Pearlman.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 10 Apr. 2026
The scene involves an unsavory routine on how to recognize a shoplifter.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
The 25-year-old Indianapolis native plays Willa, the daughter of former revolutionaries DiCaprio and Taylor, who goes on the lam when unsavory characters from her parents’ past attempt to track her down.
—Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
But there’s a difference between popular entertainment and what Trump is planning, which many citizens find distasteful—and is thus unsuited for a jubilee meant to unite us.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
6 June 2026
-
That brinkmanship play was distasteful back then, but the leaders picked a lane and pursued it.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Similarly, having a conscience means feeling sadness or moral repulsion at the idea of taking a certain action, and those emotions entail a physiological response, a remnant of having once felt sick with guilt after committing an immoral act.—
Ted Chiang,
The Atlantic,
3 June 2026
-
Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was arraigned Sunday on one count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes, Michigan State Police said.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
Toussaint, a Black British actor, also addressed unpleasant early backlash against his casting from internet trolls.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
No, the most unpleasant part of descending into New York City's vast sewer system, according to former urban explorer Steve Duncan, was the cockroaches.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The California electorate has typically favored experience over youth, and favored bland and boring over razzle and dazzle.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Gone are the days of cardboard bread and bland baked goods.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
All those unappetizing items go in your brown yard waste cart, not the black trash cart or the blue recycle cart.—
Terri Daxon,
Oc Register,
28 May 2026
-
Hook explains that for natural rind cheese, the impacts of plastic are just as unappetizing.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Multiple lawsuits from advocacy groups, Capitol police officers and others call the program unlawful and corrupt, as Congress presses acting Atty.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
-
Kelly's mother, Barbara Renner, is charged with manslaughter, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, is charged with unlawful imprisonment.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
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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
Adjective
-
Said was clean-shaven, with close-cropped, graying hair and thin, rectangular glasses.—
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
-
Expect body hair to thin, disappear, Alpinize.—
Sandra Cisneros,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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