unsightly

adjective

un·​sight·​ly ˌən-ˈsīt-lē 

: not pleasing to the sight : not comely

an unsightly mess

unsightliness

ˌən-ˈsīt-lē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• grotesque
• hideous
• homely
• ill-favored
• monstrous
• ugly
• unappealing
• unattractive
• unbeautiful
• uncomely
• unhandsome
• unlovely
• unpleasing
• unpretty
• vile

Examples of unsightly in a Sentence

The cracks in the wall are unsightly.

strip-mining leaves an unsightly gash in the landscape

Recent Examples on the Web

Community aesthetics should always be a consideration when storing unsightly equipment. —Howard Dakoff, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025

Protect your appliances or cookware from these unsightly blemishes. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2025

Across its last 15 games, Houston is shooting an uncomfortable 27.5 percent from the field in clutch minutes, with an unsightly minus-28.9 net rating in that span. —Steven Louis Goldstein, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025

Alleviate Performance Compression Socks Everyone’s heard doctors recommend compression socks for long-haul flights, but doubtless most travelers dismiss them as inconvenient and unsightly. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unsightly

• forthrightly
• fortnightly
• politely
• uprightly
• brightly
• knightly
• lightly
• nightly
• rightly
• sightly
• slightly
• sprightly

Kids Definition

unsightly

adjective

un·​sight·​ly ˌən-ˈsīt-lē 

ˈən-

: unpleasant to the sight : ugly

an unsightly scar

unsightliness noun