Synonyms of unsavory

unsavory

adjective

ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē 

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

• distasteful
• unappetizing
• unpalatable
• bad
• horrible
• nasty
• awful
• brackish
• filthy
• yucky
• obnoxious
• loathsome
• offensive
• repulsive
• repugnant
• revolting
• bland
• abominable
• sickening
• nauseating
• foul
• shocking
• repellent
• noisome
• tasteless
• insipid
• flavorless
• flat
• savorless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delicious
• tasty
• appetizing
• delectable
• palatable
• savory
• yummy
• attractive
• rich
• toothsome
• appealing
• flavorful
• piquant
• delish

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

• immoral
• unlawful
• evil
• sinful
• vile
• vicious
• dark
• bad
• wicked
• nefarious
• villainous
• rotten
• obscene
• offensive
• unethical
• infamous
• unauthorized
• wrong
• corrupt
• illegal
• cruel
• ugly
• improper
• iniquitous
• unrighteous
• dirty
• nasty
• cursed
• disreputable
• sordid
• despicable
• objectionable
• contemptible
• condemned
• ignoble
• prohibited
• pernicious
• naughty
• dishonest
• reprehensible
• forbidden
• infernal
• depraved
• unwholesome
• perverted
• noxious
• unhealthy
• atrocious
• snide
• ill
• ungodly
• unscrupulous
• pestilential
• dissolute
• base
• sick
• censurable
• mean
• incorrect
• debauched
• unseemly
• scrofulous
• degenerate
• debased
• libertine
• unprincipled
• fallen
• blameworthy
• loose
• evil-minded
• unclean
• miserable
• indecent
• indecorous
• vulgar
• dishonorable
• proscribed
• low-minded
• wretched
• barred
• discouraged
• outlawed
• reprobate
• errant
• execrable
• unbecoming
• lousy
• low
• blamable
• disallowed
• cussed
• banned
• defiling
• erring
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• moral
• honorable
• good
• ethical
• legitimate
• virtuous
• noble
• legal
• honest
• righteous
• right
• decent
• sublime
• high
• reputable
• lofty
• scrupulous
• upright
• just
• elevated
• permitted
• principled
• permissible
• authorized
• licensed
• high-minded
• proper
• endorsed
• sanctioned
• approved
• correct
• decent
• clean
• exemplary
• allowed
• promoted
• decorous
• supported
• law-abiding
• wholesome
• innocent
• white
• creditable
• commendable
• unobjectionable
• seemly
• pure
• perfect
• encouraged
• inoffensive
• worthy
• blameless
• guiltless
• venerable
• irreproachable
• immaculate
• spotless
• esteemed
• chaste
• incorruptible
• respected
• unerring
• uncorrupted
• abetted
• squeaky-clean
• lily-white
• unfallen
• upstanding

3

as in unpleasant

not giving pleasure to the mind or senses

hated the whole unsavory business of firing people

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unpleasant
• unpleasing
• harsh
• bad
• nasty
• sour
• disgusting
• ugly
• bitter
• horrible
• sickening
• rotten
• awful
• unwelcome
• disagreeable
• distasteful
• wicked
• unpalatable
• shocking
• unlovely
• uncongenial
• displeasing
• vile
• dreadful
• icky
• hideous
• odious
• yucky
• scandalous
• annoying
• loathsome
• repulsive
• obnoxious
• repugnant
• revolting
• seamy
• offensive
• villainous
• hateful
• invidious
• abominable
• irritating
• abhorrent
• appalling
• sick
• unholy
• obscene
• ghastly
• horrid
• foul
• nauseating
• gross
• hellish
• repellent
• horrendous
• bilious
• noisome
• aggravating
• vexing
• beastly
• nauseous
• gnarly
• miserable
• revulsive
• crummy
• galling
• wretched
• god-awful
• crappy
• lousy
• sucky
• cruddy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• pleasant
• good
• agreeable
• nice
• congenial
• grateful
• satisfying
• palatable
• welcome
• gratifying
• pleasurable
• delightful
• delicious
• pleasing
• sweet
• charming
• friendly
• amiable
• delectable
• felicitous
• dreamy
• jolly
• kindly
• cheery

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

• bland
• thin
• tasteless
• insipid
• plain
• flavorless
• weak
• flat
• savorless
• dead
• dilute
• watery
• unflavored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disgusting
• distasteful
• tasty
• loathsome
• flavorful
• savory
• tasteful
• unpalatable
• sickening
• unappetizing
• delicious
• palatable
• delectable
• cloying
• appetizing
• mawkish
• flavorsome
• sapid
• spicy
• seasoned
• rich
• piquant
• keen
• flavored
• heavy
• toothsome

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unsavory

Daemon dispatches some unsavory, not overly bright fellows to break into the castle at King's Landing to kill Aemond. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 20 June 2026

Artificial intelligence tools have remarkably broad knowledge about the world, but some of it is unsavory or dangerous. — Kevin Schaul, Washington Post, 18 June 2026

Banks maintained long-standing relationships with corporate clients; white-shoe law firms didn’t compete for business; hostile takeovers and the like were regarded as somewhat unsavory. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

Mickelson was one of the most popular players on the PGA Tour before his controversial move to LIV and comments about his Saudi backers, and his career survived some unsavory headlines, several of which pertained to gambling. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026