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
Everything that can go wrong does, taking audiences on a bleak and unsavory ride through the petty and fatal byways of modern fame.
—
Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
In exchange, the administration of President Joe Biden released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, accused of supplying weapons to al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other unsavory parties.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
With that in mind, Isaacs' Timothy—who's flown halfway around the world only to find himself on the hook for a scandal back home—and Goggins' Rick, a depressive, unsavory type who's constitutionally incapable of relaxing, both seem like prime candidates.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Cast iron pans get used for melting lead, catching oil, and other unsavory things.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Alex Ritman, Variety, 19 Feb. 2025
In exchange, the administration of President Joe Biden released Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, accused of supplying weapons to al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other unsavory parties.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
With that in mind, Isaacs' Timothy—who's flown halfway around the world only to find himself on the hook for a scandal back home—and Goggins' Rick, a depressive, unsavory type who's constitutionally incapable of relaxing, both seem like prime candidates.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 17 Feb. 2025
Cast iron pans get used for melting lead, catching oil, and other unsavory things.
—Scott Gilbertson, WIRED, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
-
The distasteful use of AI as a substitute for genuine creativity in pursuit of efficiency or economic gain rightly caused backlash from diehard creatives.—
Solo Ceesay,
Rolling Stone,
26 Feb. 2025
-
His appearances in South Park and Family Guy are surely more distasteful than his role in Jesus Christ Superstar.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Under Taliban rule, morality laws are strictly enforced, and activities considered immoral or against Islamic principles—such as pornography, adultery, or LGBTQ+ content—are harshly punished.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Some view his proposal to take over Gaza as outlandish or immoral, and are no fans of Israel’s right-wing government.—
Katie Glueck,
New York Times,
15 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
-
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
-
Content that is bland, disconnected from business priorities, and easily forgotten.—
Rhea Wessel,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Sure, the supporting cast is as bland as a Dodger Dog and the stages as prosaic as Dodger Stadium.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Higher concentrations tend to make the water gloopy and unappetizing.—
The Physics arXiv Blog,
Discover Magazine,
28 Jan. 2025
-
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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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,
2 Mar. 2025
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Crowds are also thin in the fall, and the mountain foliage views are breathtaking.—
Trudy Haywood Saunders,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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