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
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsavory
The 25-year-old Indianapolis native plays Willa, the daughter of former revolutionaries DiCaprio and Taylor, who goes on the lam when unsavory characters from her parents’ past attempt to track her down.
—
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
Tom loves Las Vegas—the kitsch, the unsavory history—and seems almost protective of it.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Lopsided losses offered unsavory flashbacks to the previous era of Colorado football.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Launching an aerial war against Iran serves to pull some attention away from that unsavory topic, at least for the time being.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Heather Bushman, IndyStar, 13 Mar. 2026
Tom loves Las Vegas—the kitsch, the unsavory history—and seems almost protective of it.
—Mckay Coppins, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2026
Lopsided losses offered unsavory flashbacks to the previous era of Colorado football.
—David Ubben, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Launching an aerial war against Iran serves to pull some attention away from that unsavory topic, at least for the time being.
—Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
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How’s a Machiavelli in Manolo Blahniks expected to properly dictate taste in this kind of distasteful environment?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Ornamental onions, chives, and spring onions produce a scent and flavor that squirrels find distasteful.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Each side views members of the other party not as merely having a different view on politics but rather as evil or immoral.—
James Piazza,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
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Pope Francis changed the church’s social teaching to declare capital punishment immoral in all cases.—
Nicole Winfield,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If plastic is a must (especially in areas prone to moisture), the vinegar, baking soda, and enzyme detergent routine should get all unpleasant smells out.—
Melissa Epifano,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
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This can result in unpleasant odors, stains, and even mold and mildew growth.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Bad cotija is hopelessly bland, rubbery and ridiculously salty.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
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Aside from some bland staging, the principals aren’t the problem.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The administration has asked for an astonishing $200 billion to fund a war that the president also sporadically claims is over, giving legislators an unappetizing choice between funding a quagmire or else walking away and leaving a mess behind.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
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Reaching for your leftover guacamole and discovering it’s turned an unappetizing shade of brown after a day in the fridge.—
Olivia Tarantino,
Martha Stewart,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In February of this year, a district court ruled that DHS's third-country removal practices were unlawful, but the ruling was stayed pending the government's appeal, allowing the deportations to continue.—
Julia Ingram,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Evanston police initially detained five males, and three of them were later charged by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office on several felony and misdemeanor counts of drug and unlawful weapon possession.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Usually a team of elegant offense, Michigan instead clanked 13 triples off the rim and relied on its inside defensive ferocity to win a game nearly as aesthetically unpleasing as UConn’s 53-41 win over Butler in 2011.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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Rosemary makes one of the best companion plants for apple trees because of its strong scent that's unpleasing to critters looking to snack on a juicy red apple.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There have also been suggestions that a dwarf planet called Makemake, which is slightly smaller than Pluto, could have a very thin atmosphere, though some scientists are skeptical.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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Astronomers have detected a thin atmosphere around a tiny celestial body in the outer solar system for the first time — an object previously thought to be too small to support the presence of an atmosphere.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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