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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsavory
What critics once dismissed as crypto’s unsavory use case has evolved into its most compelling product market fit.
—
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In the latest unsavory trend, visitors stick chewing gum on a nearby tree, which is now swathed in protective bamboo.
—Heller McAlpin, NPR, 28 Apr. 2025
Evans' latest film, Havoc, stars Tom Hardy as Walker, an unsavory fixer tasked with protecting the son of real estate tycoon Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker) after the kid stumbles into a plot involving the Yakuza, crooked cops, and other assorted goons.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Taking to Instagram, the R&B singer reflected on both the positive and sometimes unsavory elements of her relationship with the Murder Inc. record label co-founder.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
In the latest unsavory trend, visitors stick chewing gum on a nearby tree, which is now swathed in protective bamboo.
—Heller McAlpin, NPR, 28 Apr. 2025
Evans' latest film, Havoc, stars Tom Hardy as Walker, an unsavory fixer tasked with protecting the son of real estate tycoon Lawrence Beaumont (Forest Whitaker) after the kid stumbles into a plot involving the Yakuza, crooked cops, and other assorted goons.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 26 Apr. 2025
Taking to Instagram, the R&B singer reflected on both the positive and sometimes unsavory elements of her relationship with the Murder Inc. record label co-founder.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
His style was distasteful and inappropriate, to be sure, but the choice to protect a teammate who is so routinely mocked by fans and opposing players alike (see below) was noticed and appreciated within the Timberwolves’ locker room.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
To be an effective crisis manager, the central bank must cooperate with the government while not shying away from interventions that politicians regard as distasteful.—
Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Altering Medicaid in any way that decreases services, decreases funding to the states, or builds roadblocks to care is immoral and against Christian values.—
Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2025
-
Under him, juvenile justice is unjust, and the department has been spending in ways that are immoral and not proper accounting or spending of taxes.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Best Smelling Photograph: Kristin Canning Grand Tongo Green Tea + Mint Insect Repellent $15 Amazon After testing nearly 20 different bug sprays (that pretty much all smelled at least a little unpleasant and chemical-y), this picaridin spray from Grand Tongo truly blew me away.—
Kristin Canning,
Wired News,
21 May 2025
-
Today after dropping off groceries, my wife noted that the refrigerator, in her opinion, had an unpleasant odor.—
Eric Thomas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
From there, the Angels have been one of MLB’s most bland and underachieving franchises.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 May 2025
-
Charlie Byrd of New Babylon is almost as forgettable and bland.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Adjective
-
Despite their unappetizing taste and tough texture, Osage orange fruits may still offer surprising benefits.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Until fairly recently, gluten-free options were both scarce and unappetizing.—
Sara Murphy,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Two waste companies denied unlawful dumping, with one saying state law allows compostable material to be disposed on farmland and other properties for beneficial use.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2025
-
The vehicle eventually leaves the area after the Worcester Police Department arrived and declared an unlawful assembly, threatening arrest.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Apple touts its 13-inch iPad Pro as the thinnest Apple device at 0.20 inches.—
Iyaz Akhtar,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2025
-
The Biden administration lowered prices on 10 widely prescribed drugs, such as the blood thinner Eliquis, which will take effect in 2026.—
Ken Alltucker,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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