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

Synonym Chooser

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
The president and his family's use of crypto as a platform to make money for the Trump brand has drawn criticism from Democrats and even crypto enthusiasts as corrupt and unseemly. —Arkansas Online, 28 May 2025 Beyond the unseemly legislative maneuvering, the Harmon story to our minds underscores how Springfield’s past efforts at campaign finance have failed so miserably. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 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
  • An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students, and McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD in May 2023, FitzPatrick said.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
  • After further studies and community meetings, city planners found three intersections to be inappropriate and dropped them from the plan.
    — Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 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
  • But the hotel's logs also illustrate that the hotel was aware there were days near to when Alexis Williams used the pool that the water showed no chlorine or bromine and improper pH levels, the lawsuit contends.
    — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 31 July 2025
  • Common violations for all six restaurants with scores under 80 included improper storage of food, food that was stored above the proper temperature, and unlabelled food or cleaning supplies, among other sanitary violations.
    — Samara Gerstle, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • Anxiety about your bowel habits may stem from the belief that there’s something wrong with them.
    — Sarah Garone, Health, 30 July 2025
  • If the calculation is wrong, everything downstream—equipment selection, duct sizing, airflow balancing—will also be off.
    — Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Beyond access control, a problem that exists for enterprise AI—just like mainstream AI chatbots—is the potential for hallucinations or incorrect responses.
    — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Meanwhile, misclassification involves the deliberate and incorrect categorization of goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), presumably with the goal of obtaining a lower duty classification.
    — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 July 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • Things will become much clearer once Jenkins — who is unhappy with his current contract is currently sidelined with a back injury — begins practicing.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
  • Galino is unhappy with how Jimenez is running his territory, and thinks Tommy can help the cartel get into the oil business.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 27 July 2025
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Colonel McCall ruled that a fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, was mentally unfit to face trial, and severed him from the case.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • The station said years later, federal prosecutors tried to refute her claims of being medically unfit, arguing a surveillance video showed Austin walking in and out of a salon without help.
    — Greg Norman, FOXNews.com, 10 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 6 Aug. 2025.

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