What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unsavory
Example
The politician's unsavory past was exposed by the media. [unsavory: adjective]
Example
The meat had an unsavory smell and taste. [unsavory: adjective]
Example
The neighborhood had an unsavory reputation due to high crime rates. [unsavory: adjective]
distasteful
Example
I found the movie's violence to be distasteful. [distasteful: adjective]
Example
His distasteful jokes made everyone uncomfortable. [distasteful: adjective]
Example
The task of firing employees was distasteful but necessary. [distasteful: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Distasteful is more commonly used than unsavory in everyday language. Distasteful is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unsavory is less common and often used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unsavory and distasteful?
Both unsavory and distasteful can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, unsavory is typically associated with a more informal tone, while distasteful can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
