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
Trump’s involvement in Saudi domestic politics, encouraging the rise of the crown prince, was unseemly and unnecessary. F. Gregory Gause Iii, Foreign Affairs, 6 July 2022 This whole - this while issue of not being able to get in is - is unseemly. CBS News, 15 Dec. 2024
Adverb
However unseemly, Trump’s salacious rendez-vous with Stormy Daniels is not. S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 15 May 2024 After leaving office in 2001, Barak undermined his standing by adopting a lavish lifestyle deemed unseemly for a Labor leader. Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2016 See all Example Sentences for unseemly 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly
Adjective
  • This communication is false, inappropriate, and ineffective.
    Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Allegations against him included inappropriate physical contact with a student, an unwillingness to adhere to special education laws and subjective grading practices.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The following year, regulators ruled that the company is unsuitable to operate its casinos in Sydney and Queensland, placing them under government supervision.
    Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • That's because Blue Origin aims to recover the first stage of the New Glenn rocket, and sea states in the Atlantic Ocean have been unsuitable for an initial attempt to catch the first stage booster on a drone ship.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Silver was arrested on charges of operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, improper use of registration plates, traveling unreasonably fast and improper rear lamps.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
  • The restaurant was in violation of 17 standards, including an employee preparing food with jewelry and improper food storage.
    Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Having nobody in charge of public health might be better than emboldening someone who is dangerously wrong.
    Christian Schneider, National Review, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Turning her spa into a pre-NYFW destination, Marc first started her career as a way to treat her own skin, including hyperpigmentation which disproportionately affects darker skin tones, and laser hair removal which is often unsafe (if the wrong laser is used) to perform on our tones.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hassan quizzed him on different aspects of Medicare and his answers were incorrect.
    Will Stone, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
  • But Patel's information was incorrect: the Nigerians had not given their approval.
    Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Witherspoon presents Margot not as some unhappy bachelorette, but as a modern, self-reliant woman.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The Thailand-set season sees a new crop of unhappy, rich vacationers at a luxurious resort.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Already, we’ve been disappointed by the body’s willingness to sign off on unfit nominees like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but here is where there must be a bipartisan drawing of the line.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Even Democrats, who say Patel is unqualified and unfit for the role, seemed resigned to his fate.
    Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near unseemly

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on unseemly

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