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
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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
The beautiful game has all too often been marred by unsavory incidents of bigotry.
—
Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
What follows is an unexpected morality play surrounding not only the complications of bringing Rajesh’s actions to light, but also Maitri’s unsavory methods that sparked this violent eruption, which rest on her bringing harm to another, equally vulnerable woman.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 June 2025
Walters had a friendship with unsavory lawyer Roy Cohn, who pulled strings to make her father’s tax problems go away.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Nicole, for one, had a history of being accused of unsavory business practices.
—John McDermott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
What follows is an unexpected morality play surrounding not only the complications of bringing Rajesh’s actions to light, but also Maitri’s unsavory methods that sparked this violent eruption, which rest on her bringing harm to another, equally vulnerable woman.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 June 2025
Walters had a friendship with unsavory lawyer Roy Cohn, who pulled strings to make her father’s tax problems go away.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Nicole, for one, had a history of being accused of unsavory business practices.
—John McDermott, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
It is sometimes considered tacky or distasteful to think of art and commerce, or to think of how money might have shaped the lives and art of those artists who mean the most to us.—
Brandon Taylor,
Time,
17 July 2025
-
As Kelli storms off, Brit yells the distasteful comment about Kelli’s abortions, following it up by calling her a hobbit, and the rest of the women reflexively gasp, knowing how low of a blow such a statement is.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
Basically, how others will judge you for moving on, if you’ll be seen as incompetent or immoral for quitting.—
Vicki Salemi,
Boston Herald,
20 July 2025
-
With his opaque history and sources of wealth, his super-powerful friends and his immoral appetites, Epstein became the perfect avatar for our at-home Hollywood heroism.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Set a Timer For particularly difficult or unpleasant tasks, set a timer for a short duration—for example, five to 30 minutes—and commit to working on that task until the time is up.—
Aubrey Bailey,
Verywell Health,
17 July 2025
-
There are telltale signs that there's too much moisture in your house, from condensation to unpleasant odors.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
17 July 2025
Adjective
-
Out-of-season tomatoes—notoriously pale, mealy, and bland—tend to be tomatoes in name only.—
Rachel Sugar,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
-
Apparently, the line is bland but also profound and ironic, and all of that whooshes over my head, too, but that’s Saturday.—
Caitlin Lovinger,
New York Times,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Once again, TikTok has convinced me to try something that seems unappetizing.—
Ashia Aubourg,
Outside Online,
5 July 2025
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Many of the comments complain about how unappetizing the meal looks in the video.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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First, opponents argued that the rule was unlawful and that Congress would need to amend the statute to implement the changes proposed by DHS in its rule.—
Stuart Anderson,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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He was arrested at 12:22 a.m. Friday for misdemeanor unlawful speeding and driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 July 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
-
Light cushioning maximizes comfort and support in the arch of your foot, while keeping its thin profile.—
Lauren Breedlove,
Travel + Leisure,
24 July 2025
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Armstrong provides another veteran depth option to vie for a roster spot in a position group that’s already thin and now ailing.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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