a distasteful

USAGE SUMMARY

"a distasteful" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is unpleasant or offensive. Example: "The movie contained a distasteful scene that many found inappropriate." Alternative expressions include "an unpleasant," "an offensive," or "a repugnant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Professional

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"That's a distasteful picture".

The New Yorker

What a distasteful display that was.

The New Yorker

This is a distasteful, messy business".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is, unwittingly, a distasteful slur against this country.

Independent

Because at face value, the choice seems a distasteful one.

The Guardian - Music

My memory of Pernod was a distasteful one: liquid licorice.

The New Yorker

I am shocked that such a distasteful article should have appeared.

The Guardian

Siegelman should be freed, too, because there was a distasteful overlay of politics to his prosecution.

The New Yorker

It was a distasteful way to leave a franchise to which he had given so much.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, I keep my mouth shut, in case a gimlet, too, is a distasteful relic.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The judge called it a 'distasteful act'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, reserve the term for actual gustatory results (e.g., a distasteful secretion), whereas in journalism, use it for metaphors regarding ethics or style.

Common error

Avoid using "a distasteful" as a synonym for 'bitter' in culinary contexts unless you specifically mean the flavor is repellent; for food that simply lacks seasoning, use 'bland' or 'insipid'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distasteful" functions as an adjective phrase where the determiner 'a' precedes the adjective 'distasteful' to modify a following noun. According to Ludwig, it typically characterizes an object, behavior, or idea as unpleasant, offensive, or morally objectionable. It is often used to express a subjective negative evaluation of something's quality or character.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Professional

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academic

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a distasteful" is a highly effective and versatile tool in the English language for expressing disapproval across various domains. According to Ludwig AI and the analyzed data, it is a Very common expression that enjoys high authority, particularly in elite journalism and scientific literature. Whether describing a physical sensation in a biological study or a social error in a movie review, it provides a nuanced way to signal that something is unacceptable or offensive. Writers should use it to convey a refined sense of aversion, taking care to distinguish it from more intense terms like "a repugnant" or purely aesthetic critiques like "a tasteless". Overall, its consistent presence in high-quality sources confirms its status as a reliable and standard component of professional English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unpleasant

Broader and less emotionally charged than distasteful.

an offensive

Stronger emphasis on causing anger or resentment.

an unpalatable

Often used to describe ideas or truths that are difficult to accept.

a tasteless

Specifically refers to a lack of aesthetic or social judgment.

an unsavory

Frequently implies a lack of moral integrity or shady character.

a repugnant

Conveys a much stronger sense of disgust and moral opposition.

an objectionable

Focuses on the fact that something prompts protest or disagreement.

a disagreeable

A more polite, slightly old-fashioned way to describe something unpleasant.

a vulgar

Highlights a lack of refinement or excessive coarseness.

a loathsome

Expresses extreme hatred or intense disgust.

FAQs

How to use "a distasteful" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something offensive or unpleasant, such as: "The comedian made "a distasteful joke" about the recent tragedy".

What can I say instead of "a distasteful"?

Depending on your intent, you might use alternatives like "an unpleasant", "an offensive", or "a tasteless".

Is "a distasteful" considered formal?

Yes, it is widely used in professional and academic contexts. It is more sophisticated than saying something is 'gross' or 'bad'. For a more formal variant, consider "an objectionable".

What is the difference between "a distasteful" and "an unpalatable"?

While both mean unpleasant, "an unpalatable" often refers to difficult facts or choices (e.g., an unpalatable truth), whereas "a distasteful" usually refers to behaviors, comments, or aesthetics.