Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unbecoming differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unbecoming are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When might improper be a better fit than unbecoming?

The words improper and unbecoming are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 would indecorous be a good substitute for unbecoming?

The meanings of indecorous and unbecoming largely overlap; however, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When could indelicate be used to replace unbecoming?

The synonyms indelicate and unbecoming 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 unseemly instead of unbecoming?

While the synonyms unseemly and unbecoming are close in meaning, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Examples 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 unbecoming The sheriff’s internal review of the Floyd meme concluded that Ritchie engaged in unbecoming conduct, immoral conduct and discrimination. Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2022 The Rutgers existence was unbecoming of an NBA franchise. Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2022 This code red of a Game 2 (7:37, ESPN) comes after the Padres slugged four home runs off Scherzer in a 7-1 throttling, in Game 1 of this wild-card series most unbecoming of a juggernaut. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2022 In Ukraine, it is seen as unbecoming to speak too much of oneself. Kate Tsurkan, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2022 See all Example Sentences for unbecoming 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
Adjective
  • The defense also highlighted that specific allegations about inappropriate touching weren’t made until late November 2019 during the investigation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024
  • This shift would enable regulators to identify and address issues promptly–whether inappropriate coding patterns or emerging care delivery challenges – through gradual, annual adjustments rather than dramatic overhauls.
    Rajeev Ronanki, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Human services settings can suffer tremendously from unsuitable employees, who may jeopardize the health, safety or dignity of those in their care.
    Debra Rinell, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
  • That alone makes rainbow eucalyptus unsuitable for most yards, but this Southeast Asia native is also an invasive pest in the southernmost portions of the U.S. To avoid issues, some people are growing rainbow eucalyptus indoors.
    Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The final ingredient of the DOGE cocktail is the potential improper conduct of the entity itself.
    Lisa Gilbert and Robert Weissman, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
  • Notably, the inspector general's review said there was no evidence that the investigations were influenced by politics or other improper considerations.
    Robert Legare, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The toy maker advised parents that the label was incorrect and directed consumers who had already purchased the product to discard its packaging and contact Mattel Customer Service.
    Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024
  • But an incorrect response loses any points the team might’ve already gained from this clue, and another team is allowed to steal.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • In the second column, list what feels wrong about the feedback.
    Melody Wilding, Contributor, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
  • And two, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Chandler’s A-to-Z bookends!
    Bob Sassone, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The head of the ruling People Power Party turned course from Thursday in announcing that the president is unfit to lead the country.
    Joohee Cho, ABC News, 7 Dec. 2024
  • The team used a P.E. locker room at the stadium since the normal visitors locker room has been unfit for use recently due to a sewage issue, according to MCSD public information officer Matt Jenkins.
    Kyle Newman, The Denver Post, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Some artists and publishers are unhappy with the way their content is being scraped freely by companies like OpenAI and Google to train their large language models — AI models trained on huge quantities of data to generate humanlike responses.
    Ryan Browne, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Cronin — who had to cancel some summer shows this year due to unspecified health issues — further acknowledges that there’s acrimony between he and Hall, and he’s been unhappy with some of the social media discourse blaming him for the end of the REO Speedwagon name.
    Gary Graff, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near unbecoming

Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on unbecoming

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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