unsavory
2
6.5
- adjective
- /ʌnˈseɪvəri/
- US
- 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
93
1.0
Giving off a strong, unpleasant stink
57
1.0
Having a very bad smell
55
1.0
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste that is not sweet
54
3.0
Having a very bad smell or taste
54
5.5
Causing strong dislike or disgust, like a very bad smell
31
4.9
Very unpleasant and likely to make you feel disgusted
21
4.5
A bad, sharp smell or taste from spoiled oil
21
6.8
Not pleasant to taste or smell
19
4.8
Having a strong, sharp smell or taste that can be unpleasant
11
6.7
Having a very strong unpleasant smell or taste
9
7.4
Tastes bad or is hard to accept
9
4.1
A very strong stink that makes you want to move away
9
6.7
A strong, unpleasant sharp taste or smell
4
4.8
Not looking, smelling, or tasting good so you do not want to eat it
2
3.8
Having a bad smell that people do not like
1
4.8
Having an unpleasant taste or smell
1
8.5
Having a strong smell that is often unpleasant
1
4.4
That has a strong, unpleasant odor
1
1.0
Having a sharp unpleasant smell from decay or dampness
1
9.9
Having a strong bad smell that makes you move away
1
5.5
Not pleasant to taste, smell, or touch
1
9.3
Having a bad smell, taste, or look that makes you want to throw up
1
4.9
Food or a dish that is not pleasant to eat because it has little taste
1
6.7
Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick
1
9.9
Feels unpleasant and gross, often sticky or smelly
Having a strong, unpleasant smell
Being slightly sharp and unpleasant in taste or feeling
Antonyms
How Unpleasant
31
4.9
20
5.1
- UK
11
2.7
- US
2
6.5
1
4.8
183
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.