unseemly 1 of 2

unseemly

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adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unseemly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unseemly are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unbecoming. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

When could improper be used to replace unseemly?

In some situations, the words improper and unseemly are roughly equivalent. However, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When can indecorous be used instead of unseemly?

While in some cases nearly identical to unseemly, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When would indelicate be a good substitute for unseemly?

The synonyms indelicate and unseemly are sometimes interchangeable, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When is it sensible to use unbecoming instead of unseemly?

While the synonyms unbecoming and unseemly are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unseemly
Adjective
This side of the financing world is competitive in its jostling for clients and can be a bit unseemly. Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2024 While the prospect of finishing Rust could feel unseemly, doing this is a Hollywood tradition. Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 July 2024
Adverb
Through the years, Welch’s legend has been shaped and the burrs smoothed, the inconsistencies and unseemly bits taken into a particular form, in the same manner that a woodturner takes a roughing gouge to a block of wood to round it before hollowing it out. Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 26 June 2025 Then the new year arrived — and Darnold seemed to revert to his unseemly past. Michael Silver, New York Times, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unseemly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly
Adjective
  • Some of my friends were pressured to send inappropriate pictures, contacted by strangers, and exposed to content way beyond our age.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Businesses/nominees cannot obtain votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • The charges stemmed from the Massachusetts Senate Committee on Ethics’ 2020 finding that Tran inappropriately used his Senate staff to conduct campaign activities.
    State House News Service, Boston Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Social media erupted with criticism, accusing the outlet of reacting inappropriately to the tragedy.
    Amanda Castro Gabe Whisnant Anna Commander Toby Meyjes Shane Croucher John Feng Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The concern expressed is that people are turning to AI for mental health advice and do not realize that (presumably) AI is unsuitable for that purpose.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The drastic drop in performance from the 2022 season points to the idea that the current generation of cars is unsuitable for the Briton.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Adverb
  • Krystal warns that people using ketamine for therapy outside of clinics often improperly administer it.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But voting rights groups and some election officials are voicing concerns that eligible voters could face barriers to casting ballots or be improperly removed from the rolls if states over-rely on incomplete information from SAVE.
    Miles Parks, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The prosecutor will ultimately decide whether the parents will be charged with improper storage and safekeeping of firearms or other potential crimes, Cappetto noted.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • However, there is consumer protection for defective merchandise or an improper charge.
    Mary Luquette, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Using the wrong type of cleaning product for your tub's material can result in scratches, discoloration, or chips.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Scotsman Robert MacIntyre was pleased to have made the cut with a birdie on the last on Friday evening but when a rare second cut was made to shorten the field for the final day, the 29-year-old from Oban was on the wrong side of the line when finishing 2 under par.
    Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • Speculation around Mallinson sparked when X users wrongly matched his photos to footage of a man who was initially apprehended by police at Utah Valley University, where Kirk was shot.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Here's everything to know about Owen's cousin and why she was wrongly accused of cyberbullying.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This approach is unreliable because the proxy materials, like volcanic rock, might have been changed by geological processes or created long after the eggs were laid, resulting in incorrect age estimates.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Poor labor management can also result in longer wait times, incorrect orders and ultimately negative reviews, directly impacting revenue.
    Jeff Kiesel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unseemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unseemly. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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