UNSEEMLY Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

unseemly 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē

Definition of unseemly next

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

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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

How does the adjective unseemly differ from other similar words?

remarried with unseemly haste

When could improper be used to replace unseemly?

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

Traditionally, there is a bright line between journalism and activism; choosing to cross that line felt unseemly. —

Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 More unseemly or even criminal material may well come out. —

Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026

Adverb

Perhaps the National Women’s Soccer League will find the behind-the-scenes play for White Stadium unseemly and give Boston Unity’s expansion bid the cold shoulder. —

Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 26 Feb. 2025 The team that lands Sasaki likely will back out of those commitments without hesitation, no matter how unseemly that practice might appear. —

Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unseemly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly

Adjective

The decision to hire independent, outside counsel comes after two district employees were arrested last month, both accused of inappropriate relationships with students.

— Mike Darnay, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Separately, Ryals allegedly admitted to inappropriate contact with the victim while alone at the Howe Fire Station, court documents said.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

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unseemliness

unseemly

unseen

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“Unseemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unseemly. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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Synonyms of unseemly

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