unseemly

[uhn-seem-lee]

adjective

unseemlier, unseemliest 

1. not seemly; not in keeping with established standards of taste or proper form; unbecoming or indecorous in appearance, speech, conduct, etc..

   an unseemly act; unseemly behavior.

   Synonyms: inappropriate, unbefitting

2. inappropriate for time or place.

   an unseemly hour.

adverb

1. in an unseemly manner.

unseemly

/ ʌnˈsiːmlɪ /

adjective

1. not in good style or taste; unbecoming

2. obsolete,  unattractive

adverb

1. rare,  in an unseemly manner

Other Word Forms

• unseemliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unseemly¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; un- ¹, seemly

Synonym Study

See improper.

Example Sentences

It would be most unseemly to draw attention to yourself in that way.”

Read more on Literature

“On second thought, an embrace would be unseemly,” she concluded, “but perhaps I could invite him to tea, as a way of saying thank you.”

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His most “persistent hater,” the pompous moralist Cato the Censor, railed at Scipio’s unseemly pride and alleged corruption.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

These predictions—and still more disturbing ones—both confuse and enrage Oedipus, and lead him to accuse Creon of unseemly ambition and betrayal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Likewise, the president’s tariffs on Brazil over its own Supreme Court ruling against his buddy, former president Jair Bolsonaro, might strike some of them as a bit unseemly.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• inappropriate 
• indecent 
• tawdry 
• undignified 
• untoward