UNSTYLISH Synonyms: 86 Similar and Opposite Words

unstylish

adjective

ˌən-ˈstī-lish

Definition of unstylish

as in inappropriate

marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste chose a bizarrely unstylish hairstyle for the Halloween party

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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 unstylish Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 GTX Waterproof Hiking Boots Hiking boots don’t need to be frumpy and unstylish—just look at this adorable pair that’s now up to 59 percent off just in time for the Fourth of July. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025 The piece is an antique that wasn't fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again. — Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023 Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs. — Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022 The alternative of using a single mirror would require a thick lens—resulting in bulky, unstylish AR glasses. — Ari Grobman, Forbes, 19 July 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstylish

Adjective

During the first week of school, a Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School teacher was placed on leave over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a student.

— Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Aug. 2026
The content was inappropriate and does not reflect our values.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

The very characteristics that made blue-collar businesses unfashionable, their physicality and labor intensity, are now their defensive moat.

— Gustaf Lundberg Toresson, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
As one Ithacan subject fondly recalls, Odysseus always had an unfashionable belief in playing fair.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Definition of unfashionable

Adjective

When channels are created with unsuitable blades, angles, or placement, transplanted hair may grow in an unnatural direction or produce an overly uniform appearance.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Websites often attract unsuitable clients due to ineffective copy, hindering business growth.

— Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

In between some of the manager’s more clip-worthy quotes, there were more of his usual — and not incorrect — platitudes.

— Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Mosseri said the plaintiff lawyers are incorrect in suggesting that Meta also reduced the number of researchers studying youth mental health harms after Haugen’s leaks.

— Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Get rid of that dowdy old boob light for good and hang any of these beautiful alternative light fixtures instead.

— Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026
Like sparks igniting, the result is a piece that feels alive with energy rather than a dowdy relic of the past.

— Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 17 May 2026

Definition of dowdy

Adjective

There’s nothing wrong with holding on to childhood and being a little immature from time to time.

— Loren Savini, Allure, 22 Aug. 2026
Cleveland Police said a Volkswagen Passat carrying five members of the public was traveling the wrong way down the A66 highway near Middlesbrough and collided with a police vehicle on the same road going in the right direction.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

Holzinger jumps into the tank, her movements inelegant and panicked, and pulls Nüganen out.

— Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
One of the more revealing patterns to emerge from the category is something known as zebra striping, a perhaps inelegant term, but a quick phrase to show the shift in highly intelligent consumer behaviour.

— Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Definition of inelegant

Browse Nearby Words

unstuffy

unstylish

unsubdued

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“Unstylish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstylish. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unstylish

adjective

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