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

Now, the mayor and aldermen face unseemly optics: privately agreeing to pressure vendors — many of whom already operate on slim profit margins — while failing to disclose that this was a key budget-balancing strategy to avoid raising property taxes. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025

An unseemly blackmail incident and a pressing need for cash mean, however, the siblings get entangled in the city’s murky underworld, setting up a series that is equal parts drama and comedy. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025

Adverb

Perhaps the National Women’s Soccer League will find the behind-the-scenes play for White Stadium unseemly and give Boston Unity’s expansion bid the cold shoulder. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2025

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

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