unseemly
un·seem·ly
(ŭn-sēm′lē)adj. un·seem·li·er, un·seem·li·est
1. Not in accord with accepted standards of decency or morality.
2. Not suited to the circumstances; inappropriate: took an unseemly amount of time to complete the project.
3. Unattractive; unsightly: "The point at which the walls of suburban houses meet the lawns is apparently unseemly and must be covered up with these stunted trees" (Amy Benson).
adv.
In an improper or inappropriate manner.
un·seem′li·ness n.
Synonyms: unseemly, improper, unbecoming, indelicate, indecent, indecorous
These adjectives mean not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper. What is unseemly reflects badly on one's manners or morals: an unseemly outburst; married in unseemly haste. Improper often refers to unethical conduct, a breach of etiquette, or morally offensive behavior: improper business practices; improper behavior at the dinner table. Unbecoming suggests what is beneath the standard implied by one's character or position: language unbecoming to an officer. Indelicate suggests immodesty, coarseness, or tactlessness: indelicate barnyard humor; an indelicate reference to the senator's family troubles. Indecent refers to what is considered crude or vulgar, especially with regard to sexual impropriety or sexually explicit material: an indecent proposal; indecent programming. Indecorous implies violation of propriety or decorum: an exposé of the author's indecorous past.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
unseemly
(ʌnˈsiːmlɪ)adj
1. not in good style or taste; unbecoming
2. obsolete unattractive
adv
rare in an unseemly manner
unˈseemliness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
un•seem•ly
(ʌnˈsim li) adj. , -li•er, -li•est,
adv. adj.
1. not seemly; not in keeping with accepted standards of taste or proper form.
2. inappropriate for time or place.
adv.3. in an unseemly manner.
[1250–1300]
un•seem′li•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj. | 1. | ![]() improper - not suitable or right or appropriate; "slightly improper to dine alone with a married man"; "improper medication"; "improper attire for the golf course" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
unseemly
adjective improper, inappropriate, unsuitable, out of place, undignified, disreputable, unbecoming, unrefined, out of keeping, discreditable, indelicate, in poor taste, indecorous, unbefitting It would be unseemly for judges to receive pay increases.
becoming, seemly, fitting, appropriate, suitable, acceptable, proper, refined, decorous
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
unseemly
adjective1. Not in keeping with conventional mores:
2. Not suited to circumstances:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
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unseemly
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995