unsavory
adjective
un·sa·vory
ˌən-ˈsā-və-rē 
-ˈsāv-rē
2
a
: unpleasant to taste or smell
b
: disagreeable, distasteful
an unsavory assignment
especially
: morally offensive
unsavory business practices
Examples of unsavory in a Sentence
He is an unsavory character.
an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the best parts to it are the recollections from his Little Italy friends and relatives, many of whom served as inspiration for his sometimes unsavory characters.
—
Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
The final third of the book seamlessly cranks up the action when tracker vampire James and his bloodthirsty cronies, Laurent and Victoria, take an unsavory interest in Bella.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
So are tax rebates just mutually beneficial business deals, unsavory kickbacks or legal extortion?
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
It was published in 1975, just two months after the Manila fight, with a mandate from Ali’s handlers to scrub unsavory elements of his life.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
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Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
The final third of the book seamlessly cranks up the action when tracker vampire James and his bloodthirsty cronies, Laurent and Victoria, take an unsavory interest in Bella.
—USA Today, 10 Oct. 2025
So are tax rebates just mutually beneficial business deals, unsavory kickbacks or legal extortion?
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025
It was published in 1975, just two months after the Manila fight, with a mandate from Ali’s handlers to scrub unsavory elements of his life.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsavory
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsavory. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unsavory
adjective
un·sa·vory
ˌən-ˈsāv(-ə)-rē
ˈən-
1
: having little or no taste
2
: having a bad taste or smell
3
: morally bad
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