Word Explorer

Unsavory

/ʌnˈseɪv.əɹ.i/

Not savory; without flavor.

📖 Definitions of "Unsavory"

adjective
  1. 1

    Not savory; without flavor.

  2. 2

    Of bad taste; distasteful.

  3. 3

    Making an activity undesirable.

  4. 4

    Disreputable, not respectable, of questionable moral character.

    "His unsavory reputation as a mobster came back to haunt him when he ran for mayor of New York."

🔄 Synonyms of "Unsavory"

5 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

WordDefinition
offensivenounCausing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.
distasteful(figuratively) Unpleasant.
unpalatablenoun(figuratively, by extension) Unpleasant or disagreeable.
odoriferousHaving an odor or fragrance.
unsavoury(British spelling) Alternative spelling of unsavory. [Not savory; without flavor.]

↔️ Antonyms of "Unsavory"

Words with the opposite meaning.

WordDefinition
inoffensivenot offensive
savourynoun(British, Canada, Australian and New Zealand spelling) Alternative form of savory. [Tasty, attractive to the palate.]
savorynounTasty, attractive to the palate.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Unsavory"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

WordDefinition
unpalatable(figuratively, by extension) Unpleasant or disagreeable.
unsavoury(British spelling) Alternative spelling of unsavory. [Not savory; without flavor.]
distasteful(figuratively) Unpleasant.
offensiveCausing offense; arousing a visceral reaction of disgust, anger, hatred, sadness, or indignation.
odoriferousHaving an odor or fragrance.
unwantedNot wanted; unwelcome.
undesirableNot desirable, objectionable or not likely to please.
off-puttingDisconcerting, annoying or repulsive; tending to put off.
abhorrentAbhorring; detesting; having or showing abhorrence; loathing.
loathsomeHighly offensive; abominable, sickening.
repugnantOffensive or repulsive; arousing disgust or aversion.
gross(of an amount) Excluding any deductions; including all associated amounts.
repulsiveTending to rouse aversion or to repulse; disgusting.
disgustingCausing disgust; repulsive; distasteful.
revoltingrepulsive, disgusting
repellentRepulsive, inspiring aversion.
foulDishonest or not conforming to the established rules and customs of a game, conflict, test, etc.
creepy(informal) Producing an uneasy fearful sensation, as of things crawling over one's skin.
filthyCovered with filth; very dirty.
unflavoursomeAlternative form of unflavorsome. [Not flavorsome.]

Words Strongly Associated with "Unsavory"

These words statistically appear in the same text as "unsavory" (Google Books Ngrams).

📝 Common Phrases with "Unsavory"

Words that come before

Words that come after

Translate “Unsavory” into Another Language

Pick a language — the word will be pre-filled in the translator.

🔗 Explore Related Words

Home/Dictionary/Unsavory