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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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
Lopsided losses offered unsavory flashbacks to the previous era of Colorado football.
—
David Ubben, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Launching an aerial war against Iran serves to pull some attention away from that unsavory topic, at least for the time being.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
This isn’t the first time the Disturbia actor has been embroiled in unsavory dealings.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Something unsavory is afoot in Hollywood, according to Matthew McConaughey.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
David Ubben, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Launching an aerial war against Iran serves to pull some attention away from that unsavory topic, at least for the time being.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
This isn’t the first time the Disturbia actor has been embroiled in unsavory dealings.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2026
Something unsavory is afoot in Hollywood, according to Matthew McConaughey.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
Ornamental onions, chives, and spring onions produce a scent and flavor that squirrels find distasteful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
-
That’s a very distasteful election-year predicament for many.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And never mind that this is simply wrong, almost to the point of being immoral.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
To do so is to be tacitly complicit in what these companies know to be wrong, unethical and immoral.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Along the way there are medical emergencies, a drug trip, a private jet to a private Hot Chip concert somewhere mountainous and snowy, some unpleasant business with a dog, heartfelt conversations and existential crises.—
Robert Lloyd,
Boston Herald,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The spandex-blend material is ultra-stretchy, and there’s no unpleasant digging or pinching courtesy of the zipper- and button-free design.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Pfeiffer is sensational, her Shyanne is a tough survivor and former Hooters server who’s preparing to wed a kind and rather bland preacher (Greg Kinnear).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The movie does have a few additional in-concert scenes, but the songs, written and produced by Jack Antonoff and Charli xcx, just sound like a bland version of what they’re supposed to be.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Reaching for your leftover guacamole and discovering it’s turned an unappetizing shade of brown after a day in the fridge.—
Olivia Tarantino,
Martha Stewart,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, North Carolina, was charged Thursday with the unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Gary D. Robertson,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
He has been charged in New York federal court with unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 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
-
Every few years, replenish spots that look thin and get a lot of traffic.—
Elizabeth Jardina,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The handles are weighted and ergonomic without being bulky, and the heads are thin enough to actually get under food—like a delicate omelet—which is a genuine problem with thicker silicone spatulas.—
Jamie Thilman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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