unceremonious

adjective

un·​cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous ˌən-ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs 

1

: not ceremonious : informal

2

: abrupt, rude

an unceremonious dismissal

unceremoniously adverb

unceremoniousness noun

Synonyms

• abrupt
• bluff
• blunt
• brusque
• brusk
• crusty
• curt
• downright
• short
• short-spoken
• snippy

Examples of unceremonious in a Sentence

His unceremonious dismissal by the new boss surprised everybody.

my polite request was met with an unceremonious refusal

Recent Examples on the Web

General manager Chris Grier acknowledged the position’s importance after the Dolphins’ regular season came to an unceremonious 8-9 end. —C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 10 Mar. 2025

In an unexpected and unceremonious twist, the trade was rescinded after the Lakers, who had intended to pair Hornets center Mark Williams with newcomer Luka Doncic as a lob threat, reportedly balked at Williams’ medicals. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2025

Shattered rejects both, never leaving the insistent and unceremonious present tense. —Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025

Their unceremonious removal and the arrival of new unknown personnel in leadership has unnerved the employees who remain while at the same time increasing their workload. —Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unceremonious

• acrimonious
• ceremonious
• inharmonious
• parsimonious
• sanctimonious
• erroneous
• felonious
• harmonious
• peroneus
• polonius

Kids Definition

unceremonious

adjective

un·​cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous ˌən-ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs 

: acting without or lacking ordinary courtesy : abrupt

an unceremonious departure

unceremoniously adverb