unseemly

1 of 2

adjective

un·​seem·​ly ˌən-ˈsēm-lē 

: not seemly: such as

a

: not according with established standards of good form or taste

unseemly bickering

b

: not suitable for time or place : inappropriate, unseasonable

unseemliness

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē-nəs 

noun

unseemly

2 of 2

adverb

: in an unseemly manner

Synonyms

Adjective

• amiss
• graceless
• improper
• inapposite
• inappropriate
• inapt
• incongruous
• incorrect
• indecorous
• inept
• infelicitous
• malapropos
• perverse
• unapt
• unbecoming
• unfit
• unhappy
• unsuitable
• untoward
• wrong

Choose the Right Synonym for unseemly

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste.

indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

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

unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Examples of unseemly in a Sentence

Adjective

He spent unseemly amounts of money on himself.

an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The committee had by this time earned a reputation for unseemly grandstanding, and White played this to his advantage. —Benn Steil, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2013

But what finally derailed the case was the Nixon administration’s unseemly overtures to the judge. —Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2024

Adverb

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

Tipping in those situations might seem odd, even unseemly today, but tax-free income is hard to resist. —Virginia Postrel, The Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unseemly

adjective

un·​seem·​ly

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē,

ˈən-

: not seemly : not polite or proper

unseemly arguing in public