unseemly 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē How to pronounce unseemly (audio)
Definition of unseemlynext
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unseemly

2 of 2

adverb

as in inappropriately

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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How does the adjective unseemly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unseemly are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unbecoming. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

When could improper be used to replace unseemly?

In some situations, the words improper and unseemly are roughly equivalent. However, 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 can indecorous be used instead of unseemly?

While in some cases nearly identical to unseemly, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When would indelicate be a good substitute for unseemly?

The synonyms indelicate and unseemly 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 unbecoming instead of unseemly?

While the synonyms unbecoming and unseemly are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

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 unseemly
Adjective
While the prospect of finishing Rust could feel unseemly, doing this is a Hollywood tradition. —Reeves Wiedeman, Vulture, 12 July 2024 This side of the financing world is competitive in its jostling for clients and can be a bit unseemly. —Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2024
Adverb
To a certain extent, The Darjeeling Limited is an unseemly act of spiritual tourism, no better than Eat Pray Love or countless other films about privileged white Americans turning a foreign landscape into the site of their holistic transformation. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 June 2025 By using its emergency docket to leap to the Administration’s defense, the Court acted with unseemly haste and engaged in overt cherry-picking. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for unseemly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly
  1. inappropriate
  2. unsuitable
  3. improper
  4. wrong
  5. incorrect
  6. unhappy
  7. unfit
Adjective
  • Once the encounter was posted online, internet sleuths quickly detected the identity of the duo, and the encounter was deemed particularly inappropriate given Byron is married.
    — Kim Elsesser, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Back then, Trump derided White House events for foreign dignitaries held in tents, saying that was an inappropriate way to entertain them.
    — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 20 July 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Intermittent fasting, for example, may be unsuitable for people with pre-existing conditions or irritable bowel syndrome.
    — Desireé Oostland, Vogue, 17 July 2025
  • While effective in commercial spheres, this approach to AI, which often involves a disregard for data privacy, is viewed as unsuitable for Washington.
    — Dean DeBiase, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • The county inspector general, in a December 2021 report, found mismanagement in the district and improper payments made to district trustees.
    — Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
  • His attorneys are now seeking access to information from prosecutors and from Mangione's insurer, Aetna, arguing the subpoena was improper.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 July 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • But new research shows that the intuitive assumption that the water is mostly newly melted snow or fresh rain is dead wrong.
    — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 15 July 2025
  • There is nothing wrong with having adapted in this way.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Andy Byron has not put out any statement; reports saying otherwise are all incorrect.
    — James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 July 2025
  • One company statement referenced the video and stories related to it by pointing out incorrect information.
    — Michael Loria, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • That's become a new line of attack for the Trump administration, which is already unhappy with the Fed for not moving more aggressively to lower interest rates.
    — Scott Horsley, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • Speculation is that Ferrari is unhappy with Vasseur's performance, although these rumors have been shut down by Vasseur, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • While red flags were posted on nearby sections of the beach, her lawsuit alleges the city should have known the entire area was unfit for swimming.
    — Tresa Baldas, Freep.com, 21 July 2025
  • Trump's nomination of Adams this month stirred outrage among some of the president's opponents at home who said Adams was unfit for the job.
    — Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Definition of unfit

Browse Nearby Words

unseemliness
unseemly
unseen
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Cite this Entry

“Unseemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unseemly. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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