unwholesome

adjective

ˌən-ˈhōl-səm How to pronounce unwholesome (audio)
Definition of unwholesomenext
1
as in poisonous
bad for the well-being of the body health inspectors shut down several food stands that were using tainted and unwholesome meat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards despite having been raised in such unwholesome environments as a brothel and a traveling circus, singer Edith Piaf rose to international stardom

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 unwholesome Their jail is strange and unwholesome. — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026 Grievous bodily harm, nonconsensual drugging, murder, yes…still, thank god there’s nothing unwholesome here, like say a man in a dress. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026 The public, however, knew what to expect from this unwholesome mixture of politics and celebrity and didn’t tune in. — Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026 As for the place, its veneer of comfortable tourism doesn’t hide the air of something unwholesome, especially when female guests start randomly throwing up. — David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwholesome
  1. poisonous
  2. corrupt
  3. unhealthful
  4. degraded
  5. toxic
  6. sick
  7. unhealthy
  8. noxious
Adjective
  • Wildfire smoke contains noxious or poisonous gases and particulate matter, tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, affecting people with respiratory problems, says the Environmental Protection Agency.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • How plants poisonous to dogs cause harm Not all toxic plants affect dogs the same way, but many share similar chemicals that attack the digestive system.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of poisonous
Adjective
  • Some explicitly backed his Democratic opponent, the legendarily corrupt Edwin Edwards.
    — James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
  • According to some research, Hungary has been the most corrupt country in the EU for years now.
    — Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • From downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley, tens of thousands were enveloped in unhealthful levels of smoke, even as some local officials told residents that the air posed no danger.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • The soil may contain pathogens, pesticides and other unhealthful things.
    — Joan Morris, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of unhealthful
Adjective
  • Funding is also a problem, as the severely degraded local health system in eastern Congo, as well as NGOs, struggles to cope as Ebola spreads in remote rural areas.
    — Emmet Livingstone, NPR, 23 July 2026
  • Experts warn this serves as an early indicator for global food systems, stressing that degraded ecosystems worsen climate shocks.
    — Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of degraded
Adjective
  • As toxic levels of gas have been detected, teams wearing oxygen gear raced to find survivors on Tuesday, the outlet reported.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • Research shows toxic culture is the leading cause of attrition, far surpassing compensation.
    — Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of toxic
Adjective
  • Lake Jesup, one of Central Florida’s largest water bodies, is also one of its sickest.
    — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026
  • What To Do Now Just washing produce doesn’t typically get rid of cyclospora, so the best way to avoid getting sick is to avoid food that could’ve been contaminated.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 17 July 2026
Definition of sick
Adjective
  • Conditions for the beginning of the work week are forecast at a minimum to be unhealthy for sensitive groups, which include people with heart or lung disease, older adults, teens and children.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
  • The alert signals that the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and those with heart or lung disease.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 20 July 2026
Definition of unhealthy
Adjective
  • Residents from Minnesota to Washington, DC, told CNN the noxious air has disrupted their lives, seeping into everything from their health and leisure to their businesses and family life.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • The phenomenon, where smoke blots out the blue sky overhead, making the air appear milky-white or even orange, has become a relatively regular fixture of summers where out-of-control wildfires in the West bring noxious smoke downwind.
    — Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
Definition of noxious

Browse Nearby Words

unwellness
unwholesome
unwieldy
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Cite this Entry

“Unwholesome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwholesome. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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