unsavory Definition
- 1disagreeable to taste, smell, or look at
- 2morally offensive
Using unsavory: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "unsavory" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The unsavory smell coming from the kitchen made me lose my appetite.
Example
The politician was involved in some unsavory business dealings.
Example
The book contained some unsavory descriptions of violence and abuse.
unsavory Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for unsavory
Antonyms for unsavory
Phrases with unsavory
Example
He was known around town as an unsavory character with a criminal record.
a negative perception or image that someone or something has due to past actions or behavior
Example
The company had an unsavory reputation for mistreating its employees.
unsavory business
questionable or illegal activities, especially those involving deceit or exploitation
Example
The police suspected that the store was involved in some unsavory business practices.
Origins of unsavory
from un- (not) + savory (pleasing to the sense of taste or smell)
Summary: unsavory in Brief
The term 'unsavory' [ʌnˈseɪvəri] refers to things that are unpleasant to the senses or morally offensive. It can describe anything from bad smells to questionable business practices, as in 'The politician was involved in some unsavory business dealings.' 'Unsavory' can also be used to describe people, as in 'He was known around town as an unsavory character with a criminal record.'