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

Example 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 While being a glory hog is unbecoming, business leaders need to communicate their AI plans, processes and goals to increase trust—in their leadership and plans—and ensure adoption at scale within their organization. Daniel Ramsey, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Cumulatively, these allegations constitute conduct unbecoming of an officer — a removable offense. Liam Rappleye, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025 This behavior is utterly unbecoming of a citizen, let alone a member of Congress. Julia Mueller, The Hill, 14 May 2025 When caterpillars retreat to their cocoons, part of the process of transformation can be aesthetically unbecoming and grotesque. Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
Adjective
  • This means exposing the shoulders, showing too much leg above the knees, or wearing clothing with crude or inappropriate imagery.
    Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Section 5 would've set new terms for challenging material that anyone may find inappropriate, and ultimately vest public local officials with the power to issue a final ruling on the dispute.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This closeness causes gravitational instability that existing planetary formation models have suggested should result in an environment unsuitable for planet formation.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • They were placed there by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife after being deemed unsuitable for wild release.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Graf sided with a defense motion arguing the sheriff's office joint filing with the prosecution was procedurally improper, but did not make a decision about whether to issue a blanket ban on photography and video recording in the courtroom or hold certain hearings remotely.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Hospitals, according to the suit, submitted such claims and were the recipients of these improper payments.
    Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information, and the story has been updated.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Terrebonne resident Emmanuelle Bossé told public broadcaster CBC Radio-Canada in May her ballot was returned to sender because of an incorrect postal code on the return envelope provided by the national elections commission.
    Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Watters said letting visitors toss vegetables through the fence could send the wrong message, normalizing the idea of being close enough to feed a bear.
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • New York Giants star rookie running back Cam Skattebo was the talk of the NFL world on Sunday for all the wrong reasons after going down with what appears to be a season-ending leg or ankle injury in the team's Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
    Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • However, if temperatures fluctuate unpredictably, going below or above the average, all the low-var animals will be unfit and unable to pass on their genes.
    Shraddha Lall, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
  • But rivals like former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and former California State Controller Betty Yee are already framing her as unfit for office.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Following Dombrowski’s comments and his belief that Harper is unhappy with his current contract situation, Sherman opened the door to a potential offseason trade that sends Harper elsewhere.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • People who will be sent there include those who let their poor unhappy doggies bark endlessly, those who throw trash on the beach and those who hunt exotic animals for sport.
    Marla Jo Fisher, Oc Register, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unbecoming

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