unbecoming

adjective

un·​be·​com·​ing ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ 

: not becoming

an unbecoming dress

especially : not according with the standards appropriate to one's position or condition of life

unbecoming conduct

unbecomingly

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ-lē 

adverb

unbecomingness noun

Synonyms

• amiss
• graceless
• improper
• inapposite
• inappropriate
• inapt
• incongruous
• incorrect
• indecorous
• inept
• infelicitous
• malapropos
• perverse
• unapt
• unfit
• unhappy
• unseemly
• unsuitable
• untoward
• wrong

Choose the Right Synonym for unbecoming

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste.

indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

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

unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Examples of unbecoming in a Sentence

That color is very unbecoming on her.

boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Recent Examples on the Web

There is no denying that Donald Trump has engaged in behavior that is unacceptable and unbecoming of any leader — let alone a president of the United States. —Maggie Astor, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023

To have lived through an encompassing albeit unbecoming love and have survived it with all the parts of herself intact feels like a triumph. —Vulture, 12 Apr. 2022

But again and again, the Quatuor Diotima tore into music of unforced content with unbecoming fury. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2022

This dog-run infighting is unbecoming in the presence of a dog that was once painted by Edgar Degas. —Curbed, 20 July 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unbecoming

adjective

un·​be·​com·​ing ˌən-bi-ˈkəm-iŋ 

: not becoming

an unbecoming dress

especially : unsuitable, improper

unbecoming conduct

unbecomingly adverb