unseemly

[ uhn-seem-lee ]

/ ʌnˈsim li /

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See synonyms for unseemly on Thesaurus.com

adjective, un·seem·li·er, un·seem·li·est.

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.

inappropriate for time or place: an unseemly hour.

adverb

in an unseemly manner.

OTHER WORDS FOR unseemly

1 unbefitting, inappropriate.

See synonyms for unseemly on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of unseemly

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

synonym study for unseemly

1. See improper.

OTHER WORDS FROM unseemly

un·seem·li·ness, noun

Words nearby unseemly

unseduced, unsee, unseeded, unseeing, unseelie, unseemly, unseen, unsegregated, unselfconscious, unselfish, unsell

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unseemly in a sentence

While many of these subreddits are innocuous, it’s no secret that Reddit has long been a haven for unseemly behavior.
Reddit Allows Hate Speech to Flourish in Its Global Forums, Moderators Say|Andrew R. Chow|January 11, 2022|Time
Some of that is unseemly and sometimes it’s outright unethical or flatly corrupt.
Politics Report: Thanksgiving Public Affairs Potluck|Andrew Keatts and Scott Lewis|November 20, 2021|Voice of San Diego
It was perceived as disrespectful and unseemly in public spaces because it was viewed as noisy and disruptive and was believed to damage public property.
Tokyo Surprises: Expect the Unexpected|Toyloy Brown III|August 6, 2021|Ozy
He did not want to appear unseemly as he would be the man with the most to gain if the new government was approved.
Washington’s Wheeler-Dealer Patriotism|William O’Connor|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Dean Naoum, for one, thinks the conflict has reduced the city to an unseemly spectacle.
The Gaza War Has Left Jerusalem More Divided Than Ever|Peter Schwartzstein|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Only the unworldly could still think this was, at its worst, only an unseemly platonic relationship rather than a serious bonding.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle|Clive Irving|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it betrays a stunning lack of historical awareness and an unseemly lack of faith.
The Chicken Littles Are Wrong: Environmental Regulations Always Spur Innovation|Daniel Gross|June 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Loud, overbearing, and unseemly, he is the very personification of the human id in a mock turtleneck and gold chain.
‘Ray Donovan’: Is the Liev Schreiber–Led Showtime Drama The Next ‘Sopranos’?|Jace Lacob|June 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Notwithstanding the unseemly hour, the people came running out at the outcry and clamor especially those from the nearest houses.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
The trumpet of Wesley and Whitefield was needed before that unseemly slumber could again be broken.
The English Church in the Eighteenth Century|Charles J. Abbey and John H. Overton
All this unseemly rage and row about such aa Dorcas, I never saw you carry on like this before.
A Horse's Tale|Mark Twain
His dress was of the meanest materials, and so ragged and unseemly as to give him the air of studied poverty.
The Spy|J. Fenimore Cooper
George Heriot rose from the table, observing, that wine-cups and legal documents were unseemly neighbours.
The Fortunes of Nigel|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for unseemly

unseemly

/ (ʌnˈsiːmlɪ) /

adjective

not in good style or taste; unbecoming

obsolete unattractive

adverb

rare in an unseemly manner

Derived forms of unseemly

unseemliness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

unseemly

OTHER WORDS FOR unseemly

Origin of unseemly

synonym study for unseemly

OTHER WORDS FROM unseemly

Words nearby unseemly

Words related to unseemly

How to use unseemly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for unseemly

Derived forms of unseemly