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as in immoral
not conforming to a high moral standard; morally unacceptable unsavory doings that ruined the couple's good name in the community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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 unsavory Unfortunately, beating the odds might lead to unsavory methods that bring conflict to relationships. Lisa Stardust, People.com, 3 Jan. 2025 Cox had a reputation for yelling slurs at girls out of the window of his Chevy, an unsavory fact that ballooned into motive in speculative conversations. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024 In the aftermath of President Richard Nixon’s decision to resign in 1974 rather than be impeached, Carter pitched himself to voters as an outsider who would reject Washington’s unsavory ways. Susan Page, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024 Which is also why Bragg's show trial backfired, making Trump a martyr and helping propel him back into the White House (most people don't like politicized justice, and will side with the victims of it, however otherwise unsavory). Bradley Gitz, arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsavory 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsavory
Adjective
  • One former employee of UnitedHealthcare described seeing glib, distasteful messages about Mr. Thompson’s death even in a Facebook group composed largely of people who work in the industry.
    Reed Abelson, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2024
  • Fans were quick to call out Kardashian, 44, and point out the distasteful timing of these promotions, especially as people's homes were being destroyed by the flames.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The trial culminated in the dramatic display of her thong before the jury, paired with descriptions of her as manipulative and immoral.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Growing shares in each party describe those in the other party as more closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent than other Americans.
    NBC News, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Based on the negative reaction from the crowd, the CBS late night host acknowledged that unpleasant feelings abound.
    Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2025
  • While wildly unpleasant, most people affected with norovirus see their symptoms resolve within a few days, the Mayo Clinic says.
    Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The team initially struggled, and so did Saleh’s defense, which in 2018 was criticized for being too bland and at times too discombobulated.
    Matt Barrows, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Compelling subject matter only goes so far when presented in such a bland, familiar manner.
    Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But asking them not to cook food that smells unappetizing to you, and is likely delightful to them?
    Diana Budds, Architectural Digest, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Afterall, there are few things as unappetizing as a spoonful of stale cereal.
    Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • The aim was to see how institutions — both public and private — would react to a president giving unlawful or unethical orders.
    Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
  • He was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Smears on non-sensor areas of the tiara are like bug debris on your hood, aesthetically unpleasing but not harmful.
    Eric Tegler, Popular Mechanics, 1 Oct. 2019
  • His side's inability to finish off the game against Burnley on the other hand was very unpleasing.
    SI.com, SI.com, 1 Feb. 2018
Adjective
  • Mother Nature removes this thin coating of cement/lime paste over time, exposing the sand color to your eyes.
    Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 25 Jan. 2025
  • The Verge’s Allison Johnson joins David and Nilay to talk about the vibes at Unpacked, where the thinner S25 Edge inspired raucous enthusiasm, and where Samsung tried to make the case that AI will make your phone better even if there’s not much new hardware to speak of.
    David Pierce, The Verge, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near unsavory

Cite this Entry

“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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