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
Investors can’t entirely suppress unsavory information from a star’s past.
—
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
The combination of low fiber and high sugar likely explains juice’s apparent unsavory effects on gut bacteria.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
This despite Orbán’s unsavory reputation inside the European Union due to his antidemocratic behavior and hostility toward Ukraine.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024
They have been locked out and led into a dead end darkened by threats, lawsuits, non-disclosure agreements and unsavory lenders, buyers say.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024
The combination of low fiber and high sugar likely explains juice’s apparent unsavory effects on gut bacteria.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 4 Feb. 2025
This despite Orbán’s unsavory reputation inside the European Union due to his antidemocratic behavior and hostility toward Ukraine.
—Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 13 Nov. 2024
They have been locked out and led into a dead end darkened by threats, lawsuits, non-disclosure agreements and unsavory lenders, buyers say.
—Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
Think of the tragic story of Harambe the gorilla, which challenged the premise of zoos and then became a distasteful meme.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
15 Feb. 2025
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Zoom in: One idea establishment House Republicans find particularly distasteful is making Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) the chair of the House Rules Committee.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Even though the Hamas charter directly calls for the murder of all Jews, all people must speak out against the immoral proposal to force an entire population into exile.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
-
The Mann Act criminalizes transporting people across state lines for immoral purposes.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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This can be an unpleasant odor for humans to encounter, but the critters in the video seem enthusiastic about interacting with the eau de skunk.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
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These days however, an all-white or all-gray bathroom can act as an unpleasant symbol of an outdated trend, and may seem seriously lacking in pizazz.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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If the bland season premiere is any indication, don’t expect many of those this year.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vox,
13 Feb. 2025
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Their beiges aren’t at all bland and boring—quite the opposite, actually.—
Shanna Shipin,
Glamour,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Higher concentrations tend to make the water gloopy and unappetizing.—
The Physics arXiv Blog,
Discover Magazine,
28 Jan. 2025
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Few projects sound quite as unappetizing as cleaning out the attic.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Alsup’s order is a temporary measure that requires OPM to notify agencies that its directive was unlawful.—
Ashley Oliver,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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Their actions have sparked numerous lawsuits, and on Thursday, a federal judge in California found that the mass firings of probationary employees were likely unlawful.—
Kristin Brown,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Truong makes a strong case for it and goes minimal with thin French tips and daisies peeking out on the corners of each nail for singer Ella Mai.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
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Draft experts agree that this incoming quarterback class is somewhat thin and certainly top-heavy.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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