Unwholesome — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈhōl-səm/ un·whole·some

Meaning & Definition of Unwholesome

Unwholesome (adjective)

  1. detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being, unhealthy
  2. corrupt, unsound
  3. offensive to the senses, loathsome

Unwholesome (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. bad for the well-being of the body

    "health inspectors shut down several food stands that were using tainted and unwholesome meat"

    similar: insalubrious, noisome, noxious, sickly, unhealthful, unhealthy
    related: germy, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary, nonnutritious, poisonous, toxic, fatal, lethal, mortal
    opposite: healthful, healthy
    near: hygienic, sanitary, nutritious

  2. having or showing lowered moral character or standards

    "despite having been raised in such unwholesome environments as a brothel and a traveling circus, singer Edith Piaf rose to international stardom"

    similar: corrupt, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, jackleg, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell, rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, warped
    related: bent (chiefly British), crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked
    opposite: pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted
    near: incorruptible, ethical, honest, principled, good, moral, righteous, virtuous

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unwholesome

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unwholesome:

insalubrious, noisome, noxious, sickly, unhealthful, unhealthy, corrupt, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, dissipated, dissolute, jackleg, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, rakehell, rakish, reprobate, sick, unclean, warped

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unwholesome

Words with the opposite meaning of Unwholesome:

healthful, healthy, pure, uncorrupt, uncorrupted

Related Words for Unwholesome

germy, insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary, nonnutritious, poisonous, toxic, fatal, lethal, mortal, bent, crooked, cutthroat, dishonest, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous, contaminated, spoiled, tainted, bad, evil, immoral, iniquitous, miscreant, nefarious, sinful, vicious, wicked

Near Antonyms of Unwholesome

hygienic, sanitary, nutritious, incorruptible, ethical, honest, principled, good, moral, righteous, virtuous

Word Forms of Unwholesome

Derived words: unwholesomely (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Unwholesome

First known use: 13th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Unwholesome

What does "Unwholesome" mean?

"Unwholesome" means detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being, unhealthy. As an adjective, it is defined as: detrimental to physical, mental, or moral well-being, unhealthy. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Unwholesome"?

Other words for "Unwholesome" include insalubrious, noisome, noxious, sickly, unhealthful, unhealthy, corrupt and debased. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unwholesome" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unwholesome"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unwholesome". Common alternatives include insalubrious, noisome, noxious, sickly, unhealthful, unhealthy, corrupt, debased, debauched and decadent.

What is the opposite of "Unwholesome"?

Antonyms of "Unwholesome" include healthful, healthy, pure, uncorrupt and uncorrupted. Near antonyms include hygienic, sanitary, nutritious and incorruptible.

How do you use "Unwholesome" in a sentence?

Examples of "Unwholesome" in a sentence: "health inspectors shut down several food stands that were using tainted and unwholesome meat"; "despite having been raised in such unwholesome environments as a brothel and a traveling circus, singer Edith Piaf rose to international stardom".

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

"Unwholesome" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Unwholesome"?

"Unwholesome" is pronounced /ˌən-ˈhōl-səm/ and divided into syllables as un·whole·some.

What is the origin of the word "Unwholesome"?

First known use: 13th century.