Synonyms of unseemly

unseemly 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē 

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• improper
• wrong
• incorrect
• unhappy
• unfit
• unfortunate
• irrelevant
• incongruous
• unbecoming
• indecorous
• perverse
• untoward
• out of the way
• infelicitous
• unacceptable
• out of place
• graceless
• amiss
• inept
• inapt
• awkward
• bad
• inapposite
• unapt
• inconsistent
• naughty
• untimely
• unseasonable
• malapropos
• extraneous
• inopportune
• immaterial
• sinful
• forbidden
• uncongenial
• inapplicable
• incompatible
• irrelative
• censurable
• mismatched
• blameworthy
• ungraceful
• unsatisfactory
• prohibited
• blamable
• gauche
• barred
• proscribed
• disallowed
• outlawed
• misbecoming
• banned
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appropriate
• proper
• suitable
• right
• correct
• fitting
• happy
• becoming
• relative
• relevant
• meet
• genteel
• decorous
• timely
• felicitous
• fortunate
• applicable
• apt
• fit
• opportune
• seemly
• seasonable
• congenial
• permitted
• apposite
• material
• harmonious
• befitting
• pointed
• compatible
• acceptable
• pat
• adequate
• authorized
• satisfactory
• all right
• fine
• endorsed
• germane
• approved
• tolerable
• respectable
• kosher
• sanctioned
• promoted
• decent
• allowed
• OK
• apropos
• licensed
• exemplary
• commendable
• supported
• creditable
• encouraged
• passable
• irreproachable
• blameless
• consonant
• balanced
• abetted
• congruous
• companionate

unseemly

2 of 2

adverb

as in inappropriately

Related Words

• inappropriately
• improperly
• incongruously
• wrongly
• incorrectly
• unsuitably
• unfortunately
• unsatisfactorily
• unacceptably
• unseasonably
• inopportunely
• irrelevantly
• inaptly
• ungracefully
• awkwardly
• inappositely

Dissimilar Words

• appropriately
• properly
• rightly
• right
• suitably
• correctly
• duly
• happily
• fittingly
• well
• congruously
• appositely
• meetly
• adequately
• acceptably
• tolerably
• satisfactorily
• passably

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

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

Recent Examples of unseemly

Adjective

Traditionally, there is a bright line between journalism and activism; choosing to cross that line felt unseemly. —Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

More unseemly or even criminal material may well come out. —Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026

Adverb

Perhaps the National Women’s Soccer League will find the behind-the-scenes play for White Stadium unseemly and give Boston Unity’s expansion bid the cold shoulder. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

The team that lands Sasaki likely will back out of those commitments without hesitation, no matter how unseemly that practice might appear. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025