unseemly

1 of 2

adjective

un·​seem·​ly ˌən-ˈsēm-lē 

: not seemly: such as

a

: not according with established standards of good form or taste

unseemly bickering

b

: not suitable for time or place : inappropriate, unseasonable

unseemliness

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē-nəs 

noun

unseemly

2 of 2

adverb

: in an unseemly manner

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Choose the Right Synonym for unseemly

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 unseemly in a Sentence

Adjective

He spent unseemly amounts of money on himself.

an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In her letter, Sassoon contended that the resulting deal calling for dismissal of the case was unseemly in two ways. —The Editors, National Review, 21 Feb. 2025

The Friday dismissal motion said that the discussion over Adams’ cooperation with Trump’s immigration agenda was not unseemly but a matter of public safety. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025

Adverb

The team that lands Sasaki likely will back out of those commitments without hesitation, no matter how unseemly that practice might appear. —Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025

Tipping in those situations might seem odd, even unseemly today, but tax-free income is hard to resist. —Virginia Postrel, Boston Herald, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unseemly

• extremely
• seemly

Kids Definition

unseemly

adjective

un·​seem·​ly

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē,

ˈən-

: not seemly : not polite or proper

unseemly arguing in public