Unseemly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˌən-ˈsēm-lē/ un·seem·ly

Meaning & Definition of Unseemly

Unseemly (adjective)

  1. not seemly
  2. not according with established standards of good form or taste
  3. not suitable for time or place, inappropriate, unseasonable

Unseemly (adverb)

  1. in an unseemly manner

Unseemly (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

    "an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses"

    similar: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unsuitable, untoward, wrong, out of place, out of the way
    related: inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely, extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant, misbecoming, mismatched, incompatible, inconsistent, uncongenial, bad, naughty, sinful, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful, unacceptable, unsatisfactory
    opposite: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable
    near: fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely, applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, permitted, approved, endorsed, kosher, licensed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, tolerable, commendable, creditable, exemplary, blameless, irreproachable, balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant

Unseemly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in inappropriately, improperly

    similar: improperly, inappropriately, incongruously, incorrectly, unsuitably, wrongly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily, inopportunely, unfortunately, unseasonably, inappositely, inaptly, irrelevantly, awkwardly, ungracefully
    opposite: appositely, appropriately, congruously, correctly, duly, fittingly, happily, meetly, properly, right, rightly, suitably, well, acceptably, adequately, passably, satisfactorily, tolerably

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unseemly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unseemly:

amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unsuitable, untoward, wrong, out of place, out of the way, improperly, inappropriately, incongruously, incorrectly, unsuitably, wrongly, unacceptably, unsatisfactorily, inopportunely, unfortunately, unseasonably, inappositely, inaptly, irrelevantly, awkwardly, ungracefully

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unseemly

Words with the opposite meaning of Unseemly:

appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable, appositely, appropriately, congruously, correctly, duly, fittingly, happily, meetly, properly, rightly, suitably, well, acceptably, adequately, passably

Related Words for Unseemly

inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely, extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant, misbecoming, mismatched, incompatible, inconsistent, uncongenial, bad, naughty, sinful, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche

Near Antonyms of Unseemly

fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely, applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, permitted, approved, endorsed, kosher, licensed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, acceptable

Word Forms of Unseemly

Derived words: unseemliness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Unseemly

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Unseemly

What does "Unseemly" mean?

"Unseemly" means not seemly. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: not seemly. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unseemly"?

Other words for "Unseemly" include amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous and incorrect. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unseemly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unseemly"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unseemly". Common alternatives include amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous and inept.

What is the opposite of "Unseemly"?

Antonyms of "Unseemly" include appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit and fitting. Near antonyms include fortunate, opportune, seasonable and timely.

How do you use "Unseemly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Unseemly" in a sentence: "an unseemly interest in their host's income and expenses".

Is "Unseemly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Unseemly" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Unseemly"?

"Unseemly" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈsēm-lē/ and divided into syllables as un·seem·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Unseemly"?

First known use: 14th century.