unseemly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unseemly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective to describe something that is not proper, in bad taste, or inappropriate. For example, "Their behavior at the dinner party was quite unseemly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That awful embarrassment of the financial sector plunging the country into economic disaster could have led to all sorts of unseemly demands for tax hikes on the über-rich.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was one moment during the impeccable choreography of Margaret Thatcher's funeral cortege arriving at St Paul's that felt eerily unseemly: the coffin, with its union flag shroud, draped in white flowers, on a gun carriage behind a posse of elegant horses.

The Guardian

The fuss about this is simply puerile: my studies show there will be no unseemly consequences".

The Guardian - Sport

No stranger to political debate, Biden's time as vice president has seen him transformed in the public eye from veteran senator to something approximating the Onion's bumbling, unseemly caricature.

The Guardian

Some family members insisted that Knausgaard's father, contrary to his son's recollection, had not been surrounded by bottles of alcohol when he died, there was nothing unseemly about the scene, and he had peacefully suffered a heart attack.

The Guardian - Books

"The unseemly conditions detailed in the submissions to this Inquiry uncover a horrendous culture of neglect and desperation.

The Guardian

Kuper would later regret doing so and apologised to one of the players featured in the photograph on the grounds that it was probably unfair to highlight such an unseemly act when it had been perpetrated by somebody for whom such behaviour was so utterly out of character.

The Guardian - Sport

This is unseemly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But its overall majority has been cobbled together with minor parties and by encouraging defections from its rivals a practice that looks especially unseemly in a country where the constitution was amended in 1997 to ban the practice of "floor-crossing".

The Economist

11 13: The level of gushing from the CNN bobbleheads is pretty unseemly.

The Economist

The thought of day-trippers snapping away at poor people and war victims with their Nikons, as if they were at a safari park, is certainly unseemly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unseemly", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. It often implies a violation of social norms or good taste, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "unseemly" in very casual or informal settings. Simpler words like "inappropriate" or "out of line" might be more fitting for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The word "unseemly" functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that is inappropriate or not in keeping with accepted standards of taste or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable term in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unseemly" is a grammatically correct adjective used to describe something that is inappropriate or violates social norms. As Ludwig AI states, it is indeed usable and correct. It frequently appears in news and formal business contexts, signifying a level of disapproval. While not incorrect in informal contexts, alternative words might be better suited. When using "unseemly", consider the specific nuance and context you are conveying. With a source quality score of 93 and an expert rating of 4.5, this word is generally reliable for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inappropriate

Focuses more on the lack of suitability for a specific context.

indecorous

Emphasizes a violation of established norms of polite society.

improper

Highlights a deviation from accepted standards or rules.

in bad taste

Directly points out something offensive or insensitive.

out of line

Indicates behavior that exceeds acceptable boundaries.

unbecoming

Suggests that the behavior is not fitting or attractive for a particular person or situation.

vulgar

Indicates crudeness or lack of refinement.

crass

Emphasizes a lack of sensitivity and intelligence.

offensive

Highlights the potential to cause hurt feelings or displeasure.

tacky

Points out poor style or lack of elegance.

FAQs

How can I use "unseemly" in a sentence?

You can use "unseemly" to describe actions or behaviors that are inappropriate or violate social norms, such as: "The politician's behavior at the fundraiser was considered "unseemly"."

What words are similar to "unseemly"?

Synonyms for "unseemly" include "inappropriate", "indecorous", and "improper". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "unseemly" formal or informal?

"Unseemly" is generally considered a more formal term. In casual conversation, "in bad taste" or "out of line" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "unseemly" and "inappropriate"?

"Unseemly" often carries a stronger connotation of violating social etiquette or good taste, while "inappropriate" is a broader term referring to anything unsuitable for a given situation.