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
Adjective
  • What if the user is in an inappropriate environment?
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
  • The constable’s office was notified of the inappropriate request June 10 when the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force came into contact with Slusher’s request, officials said in a news release.
    Kate Linderman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2025
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
Adjective
  • The man, Lawrence Ray, argued that Hughes’ testimony about coercive control was improper.
    Gina Barton, USA Today, 11 June 2025
  • Attorneys bickered, defendants brought drugs to court, one lawyer was arrested and another was held in contempt after learning of an improper meeting between the judge and prosecutors.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Earlier this year, the company’s shareholders voted against a proposal to halt shipments of arms to Israel on the grounds that premise of the proposal was incorrect.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 June 2025
  • The fee, which is over $17, came after years of incorrect reservations, Vincent told local outlet France Bleu.
    Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 13 June 2025
Adjective
  • And then what happens when taxpayers are given the wrong answer?
    Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Those looking for salacious and headline-grabbing score-settling, however, have come to entirely the wrong place.
    Liam Hess, Vogue, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, out since October and November with serious knee injuries, might be unfit too.
    Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 8 June 2025
  • The latest policy makes no such exception, deeming any service member with a current diagnosis, history or symptoms of gender dysphoria unfit for military service.
    Brooke Migdon, The Hill, 5 June 2025
Adjective
  • Additionally, the more fiscally conservative Senate is increasingly unhappy with the cost of the bill, which is estimated to add $3.1 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • Trump is unhappy with Musk’s outburst, but Republicans are downplaying the effect on their agenda bill Trump confirmed their relationship has soured, with Musk repeatedly blasting the president’s sweeping domestic agenda bill in recent days and a public fight on social media on Thursday.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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