as in inappropriate
marked by an obvious lack of style or good taste
chose a bizarrely unstylish hairstyle for the Halloween party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unstylish
But while practical, it’s understated enough for everyday wear without making your outfits look frumpy or unstylish.
—
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The sequences in which the crew shoots the movie also provide some of the most memorable technical flourishes for a film that’s largely sturdy and relatively unstylish, and Saleh has a bit of fun staging his tense thriller on some cheap looking soundstages.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
The piece is an antique that wasn't fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023
Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022
Hearing aids aren't cool: From Bluetooth capabilities to jewelry and charms, Dorn hopes to bust the myth that hearing aids are unstylish.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022
The alternative of using a single mirror would require a thick lens—resulting in bulky, unstylish AR glasses.
—Ari Grobman, Forbes, 19 July 2022
Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
Only this time, Trump’s ambush was far more clearly choreographed, and thus somewhat less unstylish.
—Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025
The sequences in which the crew shoots the movie also provide some of the most memorable technical flourishes for a film that’s largely sturdy and relatively unstylish, and Saleh has a bit of fun staging his tense thriller on some cheap looking soundstages.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 19 May 2025
The piece is an antique that wasn't fashionable for many decades, but many jewels once considered fussy or unstylish have now been embraced again.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 8 Dec. 2023
Slippery soles, cold toes, and unstylish footwear should be avoided at all costs.
—Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 29 Dec. 2022
Hearing aids aren't cool: From Bluetooth capabilities to jewelry and charms, Dorn hopes to bust the myth that hearing aids are unstylish.
—Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2022
The alternative of using a single mirror would require a thick lens—resulting in bulky, unstylish AR glasses.
—Ari Grobman, Forbes, 19 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstylish
Adjective
-
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said at a news conference that Hill’s conduct was inappropriate but ultimately harmless.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
On April 12, former congressman Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior ranging from sending lewd, unwanted messages to drugging, raping and choking them.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Novak stars as the unfashionable businessman Jay Ravitz.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
6 May 2026
-
Gilberto and Kleberson formed an unfashionable midfield duo largely unknown outside Brazil.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
There are significant worries that AI can readily go off the rails or otherwise dispense unsuitable or even egregiously inappropriate mental health advice.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The treatments were carried out at Ali’s semi-detached home in Leicester, which was described by investigators and witnesses as unsanitary and unsuitable for clinical care, the news outlet reported.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
However, the indictment alleges the ship was using an incorrect fuel pump, which did not have redundancies.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Customer reviews frequently praise Origin’s tracking accuracy compared to competing budgeting apps, though some users report occasional issues with incorrect transaction categorization.—
Amy DeYoung,
USA Today,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Like sparks igniting, the result is a piece that feels alive with energy rather than a dowdy relic of the past.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
17 May 2026
-
Reed was not the typical dowdy or frumpy critic.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
The following seasons saw a wrong turn and regression to the point where many supporters gave up.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
-
For most people, this is where the cocktail goes wrong.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Haines’ dynamic vocals often bail out the more inelegant lyrics.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
-
This strikes me as an inelegant way to write Tommy off the show, if that’s indeed what’s happening.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The cleanup of the Great Molasses Flood took weeks, and, for months, everywhere that anyone had tracked molasses, including underground subway platforms, was still tacky.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Liquid soap, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and even spilled laundry products can leave behind a tacky residue on appliance surfaces.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unstylish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstylish. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
