unseemly

[ uhn-seem-lee ]

adjective

, un·seem·li·er, un·seem·li·est.

1. 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: unbefitting, inappropriate

2. inappropriate for time or place:

   an unseemly hour.

adverb

1. in an unseemly manner.

unseemly

/ ʌnˈsiːmlɪ /

adjective

1. not in good style or taste; unbecoming
2. obsolete.
   unattractive

adverb

1. rare.
   in an unseemly manner

Derived Forms

• unˈseemliness, noun

Other Words From

• un·seemli·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unseemly¹

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

Synonym Study

See improper.

Example Sentences

They rationalized their support for him by saying they didn't believe Trump would actually carry out all those unseemly threats he makes about deporting millions of people or going after his political enemies.

From Salon

The result of Carsley's experimentation was an unseemly shambles, a confused tactical mess that was desperate defensively, with Greece having the ball in England's net five times only to see three ruled out for offside.

From BBC

Some people inside the organization said they at the time found the flashiness unseemly for the head of a homelessness nonprofit.

From Los Angeles Times

But what finally derailed the case was the Nixon administration’s unseemly overtures to the judge.

From Los Angeles Times

McMaster also writes, “Obama, like Trump, evinced an unseemly affinity for authoritarians”—which is truly bizarre.

From Slate

Related Words

• inappropriate
• indecent
• tawdry
• undignified
• untoward