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unsavory

unsavory

1 6.5
Something that smells or tastes bad
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈseɪvəri/
  • US
translation icon : desagradable
  • The fish had an unsavory odor that made everyone hesitate to eat it.

Examples

  • It was the smell that had first caught his attention, a smell like the decomposition of something that had been wholly unsavory even in life.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Alabama got exactly what it needed in return: a cupcake after an unsavory week of disappointment.

    Blog text (1)
  • My answer is simple but unsavory.

    Blog text (34)
  • Anyway, I trudged on over to the office and stood in the unsavory light.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • In his kitchen, you'll find a grocery list of unsavory ingredients.

  • They leave us with an unsavory carcass.

  • Nonetheless, people's concern that fracking can taint our drinking water with unsavory and possibly dangerous elements is not unfounded.

    Blog text (23)
  • After a week without cleaning, the fridge was filled with unsavory leftovers.

  • He warned me that the cheese had gone unsavory and should be thrown away.

Synonyms

smelly
vsunsavory
118 1.0

Giving off a strong, unpleasant stink

may refer to bad taste as well, not only strong odor
bitter
vsunsavory
81 1.0

Having a sharp, unpleasant taste that is not sweet

covers both bad smell and bad taste, not only sharp taste
stinky
vsunsavory
60 1.0

Having a very bad smell

covers unpleasant taste or smell but without extra emotional force
repulsive
vsunsavory
59 5.5

Causing strong dislike or disgust, like a very bad smell

is narrower, meaning sensory unpleasantness without strong disgust
foul
vsunsavory
24 3.0

Having a very bad smell or taste

is the general label for unpleasant smell or taste without extra harshness
yucky
vsunsavory
  • Informal
22 6.8

Not pleasant to taste or smell

is a neutral sensory description rather than a strongly emotive reaction
rancid
vsunsavory
20 4.5

A bad, sharp smell or taste from spoiled oil

is neutral for unpleasantness and does not imply spoilage cause
pungent
vsunsavory
18 4.8

Having a strong, sharp smell or taste that can be unpleasant

is more general, meaning unpleasant taste or smell without sharpness
sour
vsunsavory
10 1.0

Having a sharp unpleasant smell from decay or dampness

is a general unpleasant taste or smell without fermentation connotation
unpalatable
vsunsavory
9 7.4

Tastes bad or is hard to accept

means bad taste or smell generally rather than refusal only
acrid
vsunsavory
8 6.7

A strong, unpleasant sharp taste or smell

is neutral for unpleasant taste or smell without the biting quality
foul-smelling
vsunsavory
7 4.1

A very strong stink that makes you want to move away

is broader, applying to unpleasant taste as well as strong odors
revolting
vsunsavory
6 4.9

Very unpleasant and likely to make you feel disgusted

names unpleasant smell or taste without strong disgust
unappetizing
vsunsavory
4 4.8

Not looking, smelling, or tasting good so you do not want to eat it

focuses only on sensory unpleasantness, not on lack of appetite
distasteful
vsunsavory
1 4.8

Having an unpleasant taste or smell

can mean the same sensory displeasure but without social judgment
odiferous
vsunsavory
1 8.5

Having a strong smell that is often unpleasant

refers to unpleasant taste too, not only notable odors
unpleasant-smelling
vsunsavory
1 3.8

Having a bad smell that people do not like

also covers unpleasant taste as well as bad smells
ill-smelling
vsunsavory
1 4.4

That has a strong, unpleasant odor

is not limited to smell and includes unpleasant taste too
undelicious
vsunsavory
1 5.5

Not pleasant to taste, smell, or touch

includes bad smells too, not only unenjoyable taste
rank
vsunsavory
6.7

Having a very strong unpleasant smell or taste

is less intense, covering unpleasant smell or taste more neutrally
ill-scented
vsunsavory
6.3

Having a strong, unpleasant smell

also applies to unpleasant taste as well as smell
reechy
vsunsavory
  • Archaic
9.9

Having a strong bad smell that makes you move away

is the neutral term for smell or taste rather than emphasising nastiness
bitterish
vsunsavory
5.1

Being slightly sharp and unpleasant in taste or feeling

is the straightforward label for general unpleasant smell or taste
untasty
vsunsavory
4.9

Food or a dish that is not pleasant to eat because it has little taste

also applies to unpleasant smell as well as lacking flavor
vomity
vsunsavory
9.3

Having a bad smell, taste, or look that makes you want to throw up

expresses simple unpleasant smell or taste, not necessarily causing nausea
disgustful
vsunsavory
6.7

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick

describes mere sensory unpleasantness without intense emotional reaction
icky-poo
vsunsavory
  • Informal
9.9

Feels unpleasant and gross, often sticky or smelly

is the neutral adult term for unpleasant smell or taste

Antonyms

419 1.0

Very pleasant to taste

314 1.0

Giving a gentle feeling of enjoyment

How Unpleasant

revolting
6 4.9
nauseating
14 5.1
off
  • UK
1 2.7
unsavory
  • US
1 6.5
distasteful
1 4.8
unpleasant
215 1.0

Surface Forms

unsavory positive
unsavoury positive

Morphology

unsavory = savory (transparent) = un + savor + y

Direct negation of the taste/smell adjective 'savory' by the productive prefix 'un-' yields the expected meaning 'not savory/unpleasant tasting'.

Etymology

Unsavory is made of un- 'not' and savory (from savour 'taste'), so it literally means 'not tasty'. That's why we use unsavory for food or things that taste or smell bad.