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
Opportunities, however, also create the unsavory proposition of negative reps that could make the staff’s decision for them.
—
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
When rumors begin to spread of Jekyll’s peculiar behavior and his association with the unsavory Hyde, Utterson fears his friend is being blackmailed.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 8 Aug. 2025
In these soap opera-style clips, the critters might be getting drunk, doing drugs, committing violence or doing other unsavory things.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 20 July 2025
Prosecutors said that while many of the witnesses who testified against Davis were unsavory characters, their statements were reliable nonetheless.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 Aug. 2025
When rumors begin to spread of Jekyll’s peculiar behavior and his association with the unsavory Hyde, Utterson fears his friend is being blackmailed.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 8 Aug. 2025
In these soap opera-style clips, the critters might be getting drunk, doing drugs, committing violence or doing other unsavory things.
—Angela Yang, NBC news, 20 July 2025
Prosecutors said that while many of the witnesses who testified against Davis were unsavory characters, their statements were reliable nonetheless.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
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
-
Squirrels find the rhizome roots distasteful and are deterred by the highly perfumed scent of the blooms.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, cousin Edmund, an aspiring clergyman, falls under the charms of Mary Crawford, written by Austen as a charming but immoral woman.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Ladapo said the decision was not reached according to the data, but instead on his view that vaccine mandates are immoral and outside the scope of the government’s authority.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Increase your fiber intake slowly and drink plenty of water to reduce unpleasant side effects like cramping and bloating.—
Courtney Southwick,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Any unpleasant government decision—such as the August order blocking voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, on the pretext of preventing scams and terrorist activity—tends to be perceived mostly with passive discontent and immediate adaptation with the search for alternative practical solutions.—
ANDREI KOLESNIKOV,
Foreign Affairs,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Bad salad kits have sloppy cuts of vegetables, meager toppings and oily or single-note dressings that are either too salty or just plain bland.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
16 Sep. 2025
-
PetMD advises a bland, easy-to-digest diet made up of lean proteins such as chicken or turkey, simple carbohydrates like rice or potatoes, and low fat content.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Analysts have warned that political polarization and unappetizing electoral options for voters may well yield a fractured vote.—
Vasuki Shastry,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
Once again, TikTok has convinced me to try something that seems unappetizing.—
Ashia Aubourg,
Outside Online,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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In November, jurors convicted Martinez of unlawful compensation and a related conspiracy charge.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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The world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, has ruled that there is a plausible risk of genocide in Gaza, and that Israel’s occupation and apartheid against Palestinians are unlawful.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Leaders who pay attention to these lessons now will be best prepared to thrive in a world where the boundaries between Earth and orbit are becoming ever thinner.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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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.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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