unseemly 1 of 2

unseemly

2 of 2

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
An extreme heat warning was in effect through Wednesday night in New Jersey counties outside New York City, and the mercury hit an unseemly 97 F (36 C) in Manhattan. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 July 2025 Yet the fear among those who follow in King’s footsteps is that the files include potentially embarrassing or unseemly details of King’s private life. Philip Elliott, Time, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unseemly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly
Adjective
  • The girl also reported seeing inappropriate images on the screensaver of an iPad at Berrelez’s home.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Judge Arun Subramanian noted the tone of the defense's letter was inappropriate and should not be done again.
    Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • The earliest accusation came in 1993 when the stepdaughter claimed to relatives that Errol touched her inappropriately at the family’s home.
    Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2025
  • In April 2024, Timothy Daugherty was pulled from his substitute teaching job at Spring Mills Elementary School in Highland Township after he was accused and later charged with inappropriately touching six victims, who were 9 to 11 years old.
    Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Financial promotion rules prevent inappropriate marketing to unsuitable investors.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • According to a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in 2024, up to 70% of current wine-producing regions could become unsuitable for growing grapes if global temperatures rise by more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
    Miguel A. Torres, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • In all, 24 district and city attorneys filed the civil enforcement action alleging Sephora improperly handled the items defined as hazardous waste.
    Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Applegreen won the contract after Waltham’s Global Partners alleged a key MassDOT official was improperly discussing the deal with officials connected to the Irish business.
    Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This investigation suggests that some treasury company activity may involve improper information sharing or insider trading rather than genuine institutional adoption.
    Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Another major violation would be improper cooling.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • And then, incongruously, a cropped photo of Riley in lingerie, inserted like an intrusive ad.
    Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Also incongruously quick for his size is Tustin junior defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams (6-1, 311).
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • There’s something wrong with them right away.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Mike McDaniel said Wright did nothing wrong, but Miami needed more bodies on defense and special teams.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Community members like Amy Marin-Franco, a former Robb teacher who was wrongly accused of leaving a door to the school open, have for years been pushing for the hallway video’s public release.
    Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The cost to a believer of wrongly placing faith is trivial, but the cost of disbelieving if God exists could be infinite.
    Toby Stuart, Time, 29 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unseemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unseemly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unseemly

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!