unbecoming

adjective

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ How to pronounce unbecoming (audio)
Definition of unbecomingnext
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 But again and again, the Quatuor Diotima tore into music of unforced content with unbecoming fury. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 5 Apr. 2022 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 See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
  1. inappropriate
  2. unsuitable
  3. improper
  4. incorrect
  5. wrong
  6. unfit
  7. unhappy
Adjective
  • Both the city’s account and Mayor Quinton Lucas issued online apologies that night, agreeing that the post was inappropriate.
    — Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025
  • There can be a change to the list if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on another would be inappropriate.
    — Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Any useless, toxic or otherwise unsuitable man can become a child’s legal father, without being subject to the thorough checks that these women must face.
    — Catherine Bray, Variety, 23 May 2025
  • Advertisement Advertisement Some insects are adapting to changing climates by moving to regions that might have previously been unsuitable.
    — Simmone Shah, Time, 20 May 2025
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 30-year-old woman from Naperville was arrested on two warrants and on charges of improper lane usage and criminal defacement of property at 2:27 a.m. May 25 in the 1500 block of Fairway Drive.
    — Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
  • Zika is especially dangerous for pregnant women because it can be transmitted to the fetus, causing microcephaly (a smaller head), improper brain development, and cerebral palsy.
    — Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • The senators are incorrect three times, and surely more.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • But here’s the twist: both might technically be incorrect.
    — Simon Perry, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • While much of the plot remains under lock and key, THR can reveal that one point revolves around the son of Stiller and Polo’s characters, who gets engaged to a ball-busting woman who seems all wrong for him.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • For affluent Latino parents Enrique and Ilana Gomez, this moment goes hilariously wrong from the start, when their daughter Yoli invites her Mexican-born intended Marcos over to the family’s Pasadena home for dinner.
    — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • The man, 41, was taken to the hospital once the flight landed, and he was later arrested on suspicion of being unfit for duty, per the statement.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 1 June 2025
  • The trouble is, the president who insisted that Biden was unfit now encourages speculation about seeking a clearly unconstitutional third term.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.
    — Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.
    — Thomas Smith, Billboard, 29 May 2025
Definition of unhappy

Browse Nearby Words

unbeautiful
unbecoming
unbecomingness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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