1
as in distasteful
disagreeable or disgusting to the sense of taste
an unsavory blend of spices that simply overwhelmed the fish's delicate flavor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
3
as in unpleasant
not giving pleasure to the mind or senses
hated the whole unsavory business of firing people
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4
as in bland
lacking in taste or flavor
the unsavory food dished up at the rest area's restaurant should be consumed only by the truly desperate
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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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 
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
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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
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Euphemisms: These are words designed to deflect attention from something considered distasteful or unpleasant.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes,
3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Last week’s interview saw CBS Mornings co-host Tony Dokoupil speak with author Ta-Nehisi Coates about his new book The Message, which passionately argues that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is immoral and should be condemned.—
Alex Weprin,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Still, with a budget deficit looming next year and a mayor whose preferred mode of dealing with unpleasant fiscal realities is to hike taxes, revenue grabs like congestion pricing are always on the table.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
-
While a person infected with the virus may experience unpleasant symptoms, others may be asymptomatic and show no symptoms at all.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These are easy ways to spruce up otherwise bland statements.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2025
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Signs Your Salt Might Be Going Bad Salt is the invisible hero of the kitchen, often making the difference between a winning dish and a bland one.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Afterall, there are few things as unappetizing as a spoonful of stale cereal.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
8 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In finding the defendant guilty in this case, the jury necessarily found unanimously that the defendant falsified 34 separate entries in his business records with the intent to defraud, which included an intent to commit or conceal a conspiracy to promote his own election by unlawful means.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
10 Jan. 2025
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Capitol Police identified him Thursday as Adrian J. Hinton, 35, saying he was arrested for unlawful activities.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
Fox News,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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From pencil thin brows to cool-toned smokey eyes, all the cool girls are channeling that iconic vintage supermodel aesthetic.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
13 Jan. 2025
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The faux leather exterior is sleek and practical for this time of year, while the inside has a thin fleece lining to keep you warm.—
Nicol Natale,
People.com,
13 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unsavory
Cite this Entry
“Unsavory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsavory. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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