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

Relevance

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
Now, the mayor and aldermen face unseemly optics: privately agreeing to pressure vendors — many of whom already operate on slim profit margins — while failing to disclose that this was a key budget-balancing strategy to avoid raising property taxes. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025 An unseemly blackmail incident and a pressing need for cash mean, however, the siblings get entangled in the city’s murky underworld, setting up a series that is equal parts drama and comedy. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
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
  • Originally a producer on the project, he was fired for cause after at least one incident of inappropriate behavior on Runner that included bullying and yelling at crew.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 9 May 2025
  • Screenshot inappropriate gun marketing content and circulate it.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 9 May 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • But regulations that apply to traditional markets are unsuitable for digital native assets like crypto and digital assets.
    — Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
  • The vacant land, which was largely unsuitable for agriculture, became an albatross over the next few decades.
    — Mark Dent, HubSpot, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • Also check into the warranty and the return policy since improper care can void the warranty.
    — Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
  • The restaurant was using improper procedures when using time as a public health control.
    — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • Ship was heading the wrong direction The training ship arrived at New York's Pier 17 and was open to the public to visit from May 13 to 17, according to the Mexican Consulate in New York.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The Final Destination: The NASCAR incident The opening disaster of The Final Destination is a NASCAR race gone horribly wrong.
    — Keith Langston, People.com, 18 May 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Common factors that contribute to misconfigurations include: • Human Error: Typing mistakes, syntax errors or incorrect command sequences.
    — Alexander Britkin, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • That is the correct decision for her and her game, but also the incorrect decision for all of us at home watching a television program.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 May 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • However, the Palestinians are unhappy with the speed of FIFA’s inquiries.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 May 2025
  • Their presidential candidate, Erika Meza, a 25-year veteran teacher from the Southeast Side, is unhappy with what CTU has come to symbolize.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • That figure comprises people found psychiatrically unfit for trial but are stuck on Rikers awaiting a bed in a state psychiatric facility.
    — Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025
  • Declared mentally unfit to stand trial, he was committed to the Mendota Mental Health Institute.
    — Jenna deJong, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025
Definition of unfit

Browse Nearby Words

unseemliness
unseemly
unseen
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unseemly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unseemly. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on unseemly

Nglish: Translation of unseemly for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All