unseemly 1 of 2

Definition of unseemlynext

unseemly

2 of 2

adverb

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
Using family events to network is unseemly, if all too common. Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026 Prediction markets are a new player, and Kalshi and Polymarket are working to create goodwill with Congress and regulators, who are raising concerns about insider trading and unseemly bets on the platforms. Justin Papp,garrett Downs, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Some riffed on Martin's comment that perhaps something unseemly happened. Melina Khan, USA Today, 18 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for unseemly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly
Adjective
  • Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s inappropriate comments to jurors implying his guilt.
    Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
  • Live streams and other unfiltered media can expose kids to risky or inappropriate content, so adult guidance is key.
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 28 June 2026
Adverb
  • Vought’s moves also raise the risk of corruption and outside groups inappropriately influencing funding decisions.
    Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • By contrast, the three male actors who appear in major supporting roles—along with Colin, there’s Lindon as the doctor and Louis Garrel as Maxine’s cinematographer and, ultimately, lover—are all veterans whose iconic presences make their small roles feel unusually, even inappropriately, prominent.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • The dogs were found to be living in unsuitable conditions, while the puppies were suffering from malnutrition, and a number of the dogs had additional medical conditions as well.
    Adam England, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026
  • In 2023 the agency documented signs of stress in sloths during public encounters, improper handling of a juvenile kangaroo and environmental conditions deemed unsuitable for a sloth’s care.
    Katie Surma, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2026
Adverb
  • The trial court risked prejudicing the jury by improperly admitting evidence about Mead Johnson’s finances, including its revenues, profits, and executive compensation, the appeals court said.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Miami Beach was sued in December by a developer who claims the city improperly rejected a Live Local project.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • While the expiration of the enhanced ACA subsidies at the end of 2025 made insurance more expensive for millions of consumers, the HHS assistant secretary for planning and evaluation report cited efforts to crack down on improper signups.
    Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 1 July 2026
  • The agency is also asking visitors to the World Cup game or Fan Fest to report any unsafe or improper drone use to the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Adverb
  • Along beaches that had been stripped of their vegetation, icebergs sat incongruously high on rocks.
    Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026
  • One side story, of a former pro athlete caught in a downward spiral of violence, addiction, and ill health, feels incongruously grim.
    Judy Berman, Time, 11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Critics, and even some supporters, said Soto-Martínez was making his move at the wrong time.
    Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • That could always be wrong, of course, but at least that’s the garage talk heading into the weekend.
    Jess Bryant, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Adverb
  • Historically, Black and brown students are more often wrongly identified as needing special education than their peers.
    Jonaki Mehta, NPR, 2 July 2026
  • Based on Harper Lee's seminal novel, the movie casts Gregory Peck as lawyer Atticus Finch, who in Depression-era Alabama defends a Black man wrongly accused of raping a young white woman.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on unseemly

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster