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
Adjective
  • Identify scenarios where human oversight is essential and prevent inappropriate AI autonomy over sensitive business areas.
    Brent Dykes, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The Calumet City Elementary District 155 Board recently censured one of its members, Lamarr Miller, after learning he previously was disciplined for inappropriate behavior with students.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the land presented a challenge: its marshy terrain was unsuitable for planting.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Moscow has for months been seeking to weaponize Ukraine's democratic freeze, with Putin and his allies framing Zelenskyy as illegitimate and therefore unsuitable to take part in peace talks.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Medicare, the health insurance program for senior citizens, racked up $54.3 billion in improper payments last year.
    Kevin R. Kosar, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Mar. 2025
  • As a consequence, there is a danger that the jury would reach a decision on an improper basis due to evidence that is unfairly prejudicial.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Hallucinations, on the other hand, occur when an AI system is asked to provide factual information or perform specific tasks but instead generates incorrect or misleading content while presenting it as accurate.
    Anna Choi, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
  • And then there is Derek McDaniel, whose incorrect assembling of his nomination packet for 2023 city council race resulted in a circuit court judge bouncing him from the ballot, and whose campaign yard sign size and placement have been questioned in this race.
    Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The question of the night is the choice between selling out their souls to the vapid American tourists at the Tropicana nightclub (bad) or singing for their own people on the wrong side of the tracks (good).
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But Nicol isn’t wrong to think that the real entertainment is coming from inside the house, where the spry Gita may love nothing more than to be on camera.
    Stephen Saito, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • These individuals—who meet all military requirements, are deployed worldwide, and serve with distinction—are now labeled unfit based on a characteristic that has nothing to do with their abilities or performance.
    Carlos Del Toro, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • When the Gulf War broke out in 1990, many staffers resisted covering it at all, deeming it a jingoistic exercise unfit for media participation.
    Dade Hayes, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Rather than panic, consider that software developers are pretty unhappy with the status quo.
    Steve Rodda, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Recent polling also suggests that Americans are relatively unhappy with DOGE’s efforts.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unbecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unbecoming. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unbecoming

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