unbecoming

adjective

ˌən-bi-ˈkə-miŋ How to pronounce unbecoming (audio)
Definition of unbecomingnext
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation boorish behavior that is unbecoming to an officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unbecoming differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unbecoming are improper, indecorous, indelicate, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When might improper be a better fit than unbecoming?

The words improper and unbecoming are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When would indecorous be a good substitute for unbecoming?

The meanings of indecorous and unbecoming largely overlap; however, indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When could indelicate be used to replace unbecoming?

The synonyms indelicate and unbecoming are sometimes interchangeable, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

When is it sensible to use unseemly instead of unbecoming?

While the synonyms unseemly and unbecoming are close in meaning, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unbecoming This dog-run infighting is unbecoming in the presence of a dog that was once painted by Edgar Degas. —Curbed, 20 July 2022 The sheriff’s internal review of the Floyd meme concluded that Ritchie engaged in unbecoming conduct, immoral conduct and discrimination. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Nov. 2022 The Rutgers existence was unbecoming of an NBA franchise. —Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2022 This code red of a Game 2 (7:37, ESPN) comes after the Padres slugged four home runs off Scherzer in a 7-1 throttling, in Game 1 of this wild-card series most unbecoming of a juggernaut. —Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for unbecoming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unbecoming
  1. inappropriate
  2. unsuitable
  3. improper
  4. incorrect
  5. wrong
  6. unfit
  7. unhappy
Adjective
  • The league’s reason for not punishing Morant was understanding his intent behind the gesture wasn’t violent, but Morant was advised to refrain from using the inappropriate celebration.
    — The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Is the ‘Minecraft’ movie inappropriate? Not particularly.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • If the new wells prove unsuitable for city use, the city has a contingency plan designed for rehabilitation.
    — Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Until now, scientists have generally thought that planets orbiting white dwarfs would be unsuitable for life because the dynamic temperature decrease of their dead parent star makes their atmospheres too unstable.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • Tony Bennett's daughters filed a new lawsuit in New York, claiming their brother abused his power of fiduciary duty and other improper and unlawful conduct, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.
    — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The move backfired: the bank’s board of governors, on which China remains an observer, removed Claver-Carone after allegations of improper behavior involving a subordinate.
    — MATIAS SPEKTOR, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • Although some posters online have suggested the streetlamp are emitting ultraviolet or black light, that's incorrect, Davis said.
    — Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2025
  • When that happens, inferring eligibility based on the tax unit claiming the child would be incorrect.
    — Elaine Maag, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • In the case of the Ruscha photographs, computer vision was simply wrong.
    — Sonja Drimmer, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Meanwhile, advocates are watching closely, concerned that the wrong move could result in a fallout that decimates Connecticut’s paltry infant and toddler care system, supports too-few households, or depends on a source of money that is vulnerable to shifting economic winds.
    — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • There were cries of a rotten system and in its recent lawsuit against the tennis authorities, the PTPA has belittled the current system as unfit for purpose.
    — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Once a game has started, the lead umpire determines whether it should be suspended as well as when it can be resumed or terminated because of bad weather or unfit playing conditions.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • Despite his close relationship with Trump, Elon Musk is unhappy about tariffs, which stand to hurt the business empire of the world’s richest man.
    — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • There have even been reports of police being called to deal with the rowdy behavior, not to mention some theater employees who are unhappy about the cleanup required.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of unhappy

Browse Nearby Words

unbeautiful
unbecoming
unbecomingness
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Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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