unsightly

adjective

un·​sight·​ly ˌən-ˈsīt-lē 

: not pleasing to the sight : not comely

an unsightly mess

unsightliness

ˌən-ˈsīt-lē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• grotesque
• hideous
• homely
• ill-favored
• monstrous
• ugly
• unappealing
• unattractive
• unbeautiful
• uncomely
• unhandsome
• unlovely
• unpleasing
• unpretty
• vile

Examples of unsightly in a Sentence

The cracks in the wall are unsightly.

strip-mining leaves an unsightly gash in the landscape

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of the houses are abandoned and have become unsightly neighborhood nuisances. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2025

But the defense really stepped up along the perimeter, contorting a highly efficient Tritons offense into unsightly shooting (23.3 percent from 3-point range, 38.7 percent overall). —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

But to Spoelstra, the mere option at times creates an almost unsightly spectacle, with players constantly twirling their fingers in the air, the gesture utilized by coaches to signal the call for a review. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2025

There was an unsightly porch that had been tacked on at the rear of the house. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsightly

• forthrightly
• fortnightly
• politely
• uprightly
• brightly
• knightly
• lightly
• nightly
• rightly
• sightly
• slightly
• sprightly

Kids Definition

unsightly

adjective

un·​sight·​ly ˌən-ˈsīt-lē 

ˈən-

: unpleasant to the sight : ugly

an unsightly scar

unsightliness noun