unseemly 1 of 2

adjective

ˌən-ˈsēm-lē How to pronounce unseemly (audio)
Definition of unseemlynext
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unseemly

2 of 2

adverb

as in inappropriately

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unseemly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unseemly are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unbecoming. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

When could improper be used to replace unseemly?

In some situations, the words improper and unseemly are roughly equivalent. However, 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 can indecorous be used instead of unseemly?

While in some cases nearly identical to unseemly, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When would indelicate be a good substitute for unseemly?

The synonyms indelicate and unseemly 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 unbecoming instead of unseemly?

While the synonyms unbecoming and unseemly are close in meaning, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

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 unseemly
Adjective
The Friday dismissal motion said that the discussion over Adams’ cooperation with Trump’s immigration agenda was not unseemly but a matter of public safety. —Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025 Despite her best efforts to win them over, Meredith's well-meaning yet unseemly attempts only widen the gap, leading her to summon her sister (Claire Danes) for backup. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Adverb
This side of the financing world is competitive in its jostling for clients and can be a bit unseemly. —Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 9 Oct. 2024 However unseemly, Trump’s salacious rendez-vous with Stormy Daniels is not. —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 15 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for unseemly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unseemly
  1. inappropriate
  2. unsuitable
  3. improper
  4. wrong
  5. incorrect
  6. unhappy
  7. unfit
Adjective
  • Mickey Rourke was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother UK house after further usage of inappropriate language.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Lewin has insisted there was nothing inappropriate about this visit.
    — Nick Tabor, Curbed, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • If the new wells prove unsuitable for city use, the city has a contingency plan designed for rehabilitation.
    — Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Until now, scientists have generally thought that planets orbiting white dwarfs would be unsuitable for life because the dynamic temperature decrease of their dead parent star makes their atmospheres too unstable.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • Instances of fraud and other types of improper payments at SSA—particularly in the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance program—are modest compared with other federal agencies, per a Government Accountability Office report.
    — Doug Criscitello, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The Pakistani-Indian restaurant was issued a yellow placard for storing spoiled food and keeping food in improper containers.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.
    — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • And it’s been even harder for my daughter, Piper, who never did anything wrong.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • The Times' then-editorial page editor, James Bennet, who had inserted the incorrect claims into the passage, wrote an apology that was posted to the opinion section's social media account.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Specifically, the extension payment date for taxpayers who log into the IRS website is incorrect.
    — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • Despite his close relationship with Trump, Elon Musk is unhappy about tariffs, which stand to hurt the business empire of the world’s richest man.
    — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • There have even been reports of police being called to deal with the rowdy behavior, not to mention some theater employees who are unhappy about the cleanup required.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • Just like an organization being certain that other players are unfit for the harsh glare of intense games in April.
    — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • The injunction request stated the premises were unfit for occupancy and owners did not have a valid city business license.
    — Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of unfit

Browse Nearby Words

unseemliness
unseemly
unseen
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Cite this Entry

“Unseemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unseemly. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.

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