Synonyms of unbecoming

unbecoming

adjective

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ 

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• improper
• incorrect
• wrong
• unfit
• unhappy
• irrelevant
• unseemly
• indecorous
• unfortunate
• incongruous
• out of the way
• unacceptable
• out of place
• untoward
• infelicitous
• inapt
• graceless
• perverse
• amiss
• inept
• inapposite
• inconsistent
• unapt
• bad
• awkward
• malapropos
• naughty
• unseasonable
• inapplicable
• inopportune
• untimely
• immaterial
• extraneous
• sinful
• uncongenial
• forbidden
• censurable
• incompatible
• mismatched
• blamable
• prohibited
• irrelative
• ungraceful
• blameworthy
• unsatisfactory
• barred
• gauche
• misbecoming
• proscribed
• disallowed
• outlawed
• banned
• interdicted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• appropriate
• becoming
• suitable
• proper
• fitting
• correct
• right
• meet
• relative
• genteel
• relevant
• decorous
• happy
• applicable
• fit
• felicitous
• timely
• apt
• fortunate
• befitting
• seasonable
• opportune
• congenial
• permitted
• seemly
• apposite
• material
• compatible
• harmonious
• pointed
• acceptable
• pat
• authorized
• satisfactory
• endorsed
• adequate
• fine
• all right
• licensed
• approved
• promoted
• germane
• tolerable
• kosher
• respectable
• sanctioned
• allowed
• supported
• OK
• decent
• commendable
• exemplary
• apropos
• creditable
• passable
• irreproachable
• encouraged
• blameless
• balanced
• consonant
• abetted
• congruous
• companionate

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unbecoming differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unbecoming are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When might improper be a better fit than unbecoming?

The words improper and unbecoming are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When would indecorous be a good substitute for unbecoming?

The meanings of indecorous and unbecoming largely overlap; however, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When could indelicate be used to replace unbecoming?

The synonyms indelicate and unbecoming are sometimes interchangeable, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of unbecoming?

While the synonyms unseemly and unbecoming are close in meaning, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unbecoming

The worker was accused of failing to safeguard confidential patient information, conduct unbecoming of a public employee and other offenses. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Gena brought me back to my childhood faith – in which compromise was unbecoming, transparency was a virtue, humility was required, and belief was daily practiced. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026

Asashoryu is also remembered as the first yokozuna to be suspended from competition, a consequence of his taking part in a charity soccer match in Mongolia after withdrawing from a sumo tournament because of an injury, a decision seen as unbecoming of a wrestler of his stature. —Joshua Hunt, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026

There are so many beautiful, colorful clothes in the stores, yet women are often dressed in grays, blacks, whites and sneakers, not to mention yoga pants, pants with holes in them and unbecoming tops. —Letters To The Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026