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
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Recent Examples of unsavory
Americans still considered spying on adversaries unsavory, but their government simply wasn’t doing that much of it.
—
James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
As promised, High Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) has closed Jezebel's, circumventing the rebellion's plot to massacre Gilead's most unsavory leaders.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 May 2025
The reporters decided to publish Cohen’s name to illustrate the unsavory methods political operatives utilize to badmouth opponents.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
What critics once dismissed as crypto’s unsavory use case has evolved into its most compelling product market fit.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
James Santel, The Atlantic, 8 May 2025
As promised, High Commander Wharton (Josh Charles) has closed Jezebel's, circumventing the rebellion's plot to massacre Gilead's most unsavory leaders.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 6 May 2025
The reporters decided to publish Cohen’s name to illustrate the unsavory methods political operatives utilize to badmouth opponents.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 2 May 2025
What critics once dismissed as crypto’s unsavory use case has evolved into its most compelling product market fit.
—Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
There’s nothing wrong with the latter, but there is something distasteful about pursuing it under the guise of being a nonprofit organization.—
Parmy Olson,
Twin Cities,
7 May 2025
-
His style was distasteful and inappropriate, to be sure, but the choice to protect a teammate who is so routinely mocked by fans and opposing players alike (see below) was noticed and appreciated within the Timberwolves’ locker room.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Kudos to Bruce Springsteen for practicing his First Amendment rights to rail against the corrupt policies and immoral actions of the Trump administration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
30 May 2025
-
Independent jurors can blunt the force of immoral laws and arbitrary prosecutions by refusing to subject their neighbors to unjust laws or overtly cruel punishment.—
Mike Fox,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
Castillo’s short novel is a giddy character study of an unpleasant young male type.—
Jasmine Vojdani,
Vulture,
2 June 2025
-
To neutralize unpleasant smells, add a few pots of aromatic herbs, like rosemary and lavender.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
But products also became more bland, predictable and stripped of individuality.—
Wolfgang Messner,
The Conversation,
2 June 2025
-
The show never figures out what to do with Alvarez’s Gael, leaving a bland center to several more of those twists in the last episode.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Even if Cameron is fortunate enough to avert further unrest, the menu for the remainder of his term remains an unappetizing mix of austerity and vague appeals for moral renewal.—
Jonathan Hopkin,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Aug. 2011
-
Despite their unappetizing taste and tough texture, Osage orange fruits may still offer surprising benefits.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In 2022, Hemphill pleaded guilty to unlawful parading, a misdemeanor charge that got her two months in prison, three years of probation and a $500 fine.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
-
The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 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.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
-
For hours when her mother was at work at the accounting office, Lin crouched by the side of the thin stream, watching the fish.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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