unbecoming

adjective

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ How to pronounce unbecoming (audio)
Definition of unbecomingnext
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 There were a lot of memorable performances and moments for the Blue Jackets, who bounced back quickly after having their seven-game point streak snapped in a rather unbecoming outing Monday against the New York Islanders. —Aaron Portzline, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025 There is no denying that Donald Trump has engaged in behavior that is unacceptable and unbecoming of any leader — let alone a president of the United States. —Maggie Astor, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023 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 This dog-run infighting is unbecoming in the presence of a dog that was once painted by Edgar Degas. —Curbed, 20 July 2022 See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
  1. inappropriate
  2. unsuitable
  3. improper
  4. incorrect
  5. wrong
  6. unfit
  7. unhappy
Adjective
  • Production on the star's prior film, Being Mortal, was suspended by Searchlight Pictures in 2022 after a staffer filed a complaint against actor Bill Murray, alleging inappropriate behavior.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • While Roblox has filters and moderation, kids can still be exposed to inappropriate language, scams, or unsafe conversations.
    — Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • The concern expressed is that people are turning to AI for mental health advice and do not realize that (presumably) AI is unsuitable for that purpose.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The drastic drop in performance from the 2022 season points to the idea that the current generation of cars is unsuitable for the Briton.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • The prosecutor will ultimately decide whether the parents will be charged with improper storage and safekeeping of firearms or other potential crimes, Cappetto noted.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • However, there is consumer protection for defective merchandise or an improper charge.
    — Mary Luquette, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • This approach is unreliable because the proxy materials, like volcanic rock, might have been changed by geological processes or created long after the eggs were laid, resulting in incorrect age estimates.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Poor labor management can also result in longer wait times, incorrect orders and ultimately negative reviews, directly impacting revenue.
    — Jeff Kiesel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • Parasite The first non-English language film to win a Best Picture Oscar, Bong Joon-ho's Parasite centers on the Kims, who live on the wrong side of the tracks in Seoul, South Korea.
    — Emy LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Joveljic stepped up and placed the penalty kick into his right-hand corner, while goalkeeper Brad Stuver dove the wrong way.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Lee would sometimes visit Anderson at the Highland Chateau health and rehabilitation center in Highland Park, where she had been relocated with some objection after her Surrey Avenue property was deemed unfit for human habitation.
    — Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Detroit RUNDetroit, 1948 Division St Suite 105, collects old shoes for Zaman International, who will reporpose gently used pairs or recycle unfit shoes, according to RUNDetroit's Instagram.
    — Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • My research team works hard to keep the email addresses up to date, but executives keep changing their addresses to avoid having to deal with unhappy customers.
    — Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But few seemed to leave unhappy.
    — Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of unhappy

Browse Nearby Words

unbeautiful
unbecoming
unbecomingness
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Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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