unseemly
Americanadjective
-
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
-
inappropriate for time or place.
an unseemly hour.
adverb
adjective
-
not in good style or taste; unbecoming
-
obsolete unattractive
adverb
Related Words
See improper.
Other Word Forms
- unseemliness noun
Etymology
Origin of unseemly
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After unwisely divulging the unseemly conversation to Ruth, Leigh moves to defense: “He’s not an adult. He’s an actor.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026
After watching clips of both of these incidents, it’s clear they were unseemly.
From Slate • Sep. 17, 2025
But to turn to Bardella too quickly would be unseemly.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2025
That’s how power obfuscates unseemly machinations: by claiming to be doing the opposite.
From Salon • Mar. 18, 2025
They said bangles on the arm of a widow were unseemly and grew impatient with our staying up late and giggling, which kept them awake.
From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
