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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unbecoming This dog-run infighting is unbecoming in the presence of a dog that was once painted by Edgar Degas. Curbed, 20 July 2022 The sheriff’s internal review of the Floyd meme concluded that Ritchie engaged in unbecoming conduct, immoral conduct and discrimination. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2022 The Rutgers existence was unbecoming of an NBA franchise. Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2022 This code red of a Game 2 (7:37, ESPN) comes after the Padres slugged four home runs off Scherzer in a 7-1 throttling, in Game 1 of this wild-card series most unbecoming of a juggernaut. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
Adjective
  • While booting a car may be an appropriate remedy to curb parking violations, booting a car that also immobilizes other non-offending vehicles is inappropriate.
    Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Doing so discourages inappropriate behavior with clear sanctions that are duly communicated to the entire organization, while good behavior is rewarded.
    Susana Sierra, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • So, with the names in play unsuitable, and no speed merchants on the trade block, does Oilers GM Stan Bowman pivot to another player type?
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The following year, regulators ruled that the company was unsuitable to operate its casinos in Sydney and Queensland, placing them under government supervision.
    Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Like the House bill, its text has not yet been released. DEA hearings on the rescheduling proposal have been delayed by at least three months due to appeals from pro-reform witnesses claiming improper communications between the DEA and certain opponents.
    Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • After reviewing body camera footage of the incident as part of its internal investigation, the department recommended that the officer receive a two-day suspension for the improper search allegation.
    Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Fixes an issue where certain text hints in combat were incorrect when using a Friend's Support character Trailblazer.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But a New York Times analysis of the $55 billion in savings claimed by DOGE found that the math is marred with accounting errors, incorrect assumptions, outdated data and other mistakes.
    Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This reveals Wrexham have still been creating more than the opposition, suggesting there wasn’t a lot wrong and that an upturn in individual form, as happened at Mansfield with the back three, will bring the necessary results to stay in the promotion hunt.
    Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
  • Putin was dead wrong to presume that Ukraine would crumble in the aftermath of his invasion.
    Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Kash Patel is set to become the latest of President Donald Trump‘s unfit and unqualified loyalists confirmed for a leadership role in Washington, with Senate Republicans ready and willing to install the QAnon promoter and 2020 election denier as the next director of the FBI.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Her letter, which was followed up by a social media post, was withering in making the case that Kennedy was unfit for the role and personal in detailing his struggles with drug addiction.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Many previous Trump advisers, including Mr. Bolton, have tried to contain Mr. Trump, with unhappy results.
    Michael Crowley, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
  • Among those unhappy with SDA were high-ranking officers in Space Force who believed it should be run by Space Systems Command, the main body within the service that develops satellites and other space systems, a former senior Air Force official told Forbes.
    Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unbecoming

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!