1
as in distasteful
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste
an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable
unsavory doings that ruined the couple's good name in the community
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
hated the whole unsavory business of firing people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor
the unsavory food dished up at the rest area's restaurant should be consumed only by the truly desperate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unsavory
Off-screen, Ashford, who portrays Jesperson’s daughter, Melissa G. Moore, has dealt with her 8-year-old son Jack making some unsavory discoveries of his own.
—
Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Some will respond that the CCP yet again has unsavory qualities that make expansion in China unsavory.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
In the pitch, the unsavory characters keeping the animals in captivity get their just desserts when these ultimate predators break free and team up for revenge.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
In those days the Everglades were seen as Florida’s ghastly backyard, a region of fearsome reptiles and unsavory characters.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Some will respond that the CCP yet again has unsavory qualities that make expansion in China unsavory.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
In the pitch, the unsavory characters keeping the animals in captivity get their just desserts when these ultimate predators break free and team up for revenge.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Feb. 2025
In those days the Everglades were seen as Florida’s ghastly backyard, a region of fearsome reptiles and unsavory characters.
—Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
Hold an ideological bent that is obvious and distasteful.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2025
-
That principle is invoked by law firm partners to justify high profit but distasteful representations.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Regardless of what transpired between the two cast members, on or off screen, Aspen was unfairly portrayed as an immoral character.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
-
We are limited to enforcing the law, not policing immoral behavior.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
With the present geopolitical situation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, landmines are making a very unpleasant comeback.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2025
-
In our testing, the formula feels like a gel-serum—and doesn't get heavy, gloopy, or otherwise unpleasant.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Not to mention that relying solely on transactional benefits makes loyalty programs feel bland and, quite frankly, interchangeable.—
Zsuzsa Kecsmar,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
-
And sadly, nasal congestion that occurs in space affects their sense of smell and makes food taste bland up there.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
That's an unappetizing reality for a mayor whose transportation referendum, which was widely approved by voters, just raised the city's sales tax rate.—
Nate Rau,
Axios,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Will the members of that unappetizing quartet turn out to be harbingers of Conquest, War, Famine, and Death?—
airmail.news,
airmail.news,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The lawsuit will argue that Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China is unlawful.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
-
The suit will argue that Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which grants the president increased powers during an economic emergency, to impose tariffs is unlawful and requires congressional approval.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.—
Eric Tegler,
Popular Mechanics,
1 Oct. 2019
-
His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.—
SI.com,
SI.com,
1 Feb. 2018
Adjective
-
The water pressure then causes the vehicle to rise and slide on a thin layer of water between the tires and the road, making the driver lose control.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Ibrahim had black hair and looked thin from malnutrition.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share