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
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
Tom loves Las Vegas—the kitsch, the unsavory history—and seems almost protective of it.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
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
Tom loves Las Vegas—the kitsch, the unsavory history—and seems almost protective of it.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
How’s a Machiavelli in Manolo Blahniks expected to properly dictate taste in this kind of distasteful environment?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Ornamental onions, chives, and spring onions produce a scent and flavor that squirrels find distasteful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Each side views members of the other party not as merely having a different view on politics but rather as evil or immoral.—
James Piazza,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
And since each state tax operates under its own often arcane rules, those costs can come as an unpleasant surprise.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
His rhetoric is unpleasant and extreme enough that he could not get confirmed to a university board in Florida.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Although delightfully sweet and fragrant when fresh, baked strawberries have a tendency to become watery and bland.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2026
-
Unlike Mario's revolutionary outing on the N64 with Mario 64, Yoshi's turn on that system was underwhelming at best, with unfocused and bland platforming.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Even in the latter part of his career, at the weekly newspaper New York Observer, his writings lost none of their sting, and indeed often seemed like an unappetizing leftover from an era when sour personal swipes were more tolerated.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
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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
Adjective
-
As a result of the operation, 22 were arrested on charges that included affray, possession of narcotics, resisting without violence, and unlawful possession of a weapon.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
Kelly was indicted on one count each of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment and unlawful imprisonment and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
21 May 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
-
Health experts are growing increasingly alarmed about the outbreak, arguing that cases have been spreading undetected as public health authorities are stretched thin.—
Lauren Weber,
Washington Post,
18 May 2026
-
Few of the film’s ideas truly connect with one another, leaving its lead stars adrift in the process, forcing them to conjure three dimensional details from a script that, intentionally or otherwise, feels paper thin.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
IndieWire,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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