as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
chose a bizarrely unstylish hairstyle for the Halloween party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unstylish
But while practical, it’s understated enough for everyday wear without making your outfits look frumpy or unstylish.
—
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The sequences in which the crew shoots the movie also provide some of the most memorable technical flourishes for a film that’s largely sturdy and relatively unstylish, and Saleh has a bit of fun staging his tense thriller on some cheap looking soundstages.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 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
Hearing aids aren't cool: From Bluetooth capabilities to jewelry and charms, Dorn hopes to bust the myth that hearing aids are unstylish.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 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
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The sequences in which the crew shoots the movie also provide some of the most memorable technical flourishes for a film that’s largely sturdy and relatively unstylish, and Saleh has a bit of fun staging his tense thriller on some cheap looking soundstages.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 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
Hearing aids aren't cool: From Bluetooth capabilities to jewelry and charms, Dorn hopes to bust the myth that hearing aids are unstylish.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 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
-
There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In April 2025, a tipster submitted an online report alleging an inappropriate relationship between Gilkey-Meisegeier and the student.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Here’s a rapid-fire update on each stock in the portfolio, starting with seven currently unfashionable names that Jim says should soon be back in style.—
Paulina Likos,Morgan Chittum,
CNBC,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Even the bearded Texas blues buzzards in ZZ Top, the most proudly unfashionable band around, became unlikely teen idols, just by embracing the absurdity of it all, with their white-fur guitars, and gender parody.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
16 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
These turbines operate effectively in regions unsuitable for conventional wind farms, including mountainous terrain and remote coastal areas.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Attackers can intentionally inject misleading or manipulative prompts to bypass security protocols or generate incorrect responses.—
Connie Etemadi,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Kiraly said the project experienced some delays due to incorrect measurements during construction, pushing completion back by a couple of months.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
World-renowned for its cashmere, buttery leather, and tailored wool, Italian winter fashion leaves no room for dowdy sweatpants and sweatshirts.—
Nneya Richards,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Nov. 2025
-
But something about the work’s improbable balancing act—the small dowdy base exerting enough gravity to keep the rest airborne—breathes energy into the air around it.—
Susan Tallman,
New Yorker,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But on Saturday, there were reports that things were going wrong with inboxes being overloaded with unwanted messages.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The Celtics prevailed despite being outscored 29-10 at the free-throw line — Brooklyn attempted 34 foul shots to Boston’s 16 — and finishing on the wrong end of a 58-41 rebounding margin.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the most common mineral filters, are notoriously finicky ingredients—the thick white powders are cosmetically inelegant and prone to leaving white casts, particularly on deeper skin tones.—
Dani Hardman,
Allure,
15 Sep. 2025
-
A certain inelegant hastiness in the plot has been resolved by treating the monologues almost as arias, giving them each an equal sense of grandeur, like the relentless finale of a fireworks display.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Most polishes leave behind a tacky residue that builds up over time and attracts dust.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Unconsidered Family Photos Family photos make a house feel like a home, but the way they are displayed (and the photos selected) can be the difference between a personalized and a tacky living room.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
18 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unstylish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstylish. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
