unsavory
- 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
Giving off a strong, unpleasant stink
Having a sharp, unpleasant taste that is not sweet
Having a very bad smell
Causing strong dislike or disgust, like a very bad smell
Having a very bad smell or taste
Not pleasant to taste or smell
A bad, sharp smell or taste from spoiled oil
Having a strong, sharp smell or taste that can be unpleasant
Having a sharp unpleasant smell from decay or dampness
Tastes bad or is hard to accept
A strong, unpleasant sharp taste or smell
A very strong stink that makes you want to move away
Very unpleasant and likely to make you feel disgusted
Not looking, smelling, or tasting good so you do not want to eat it
Having an unpleasant taste or smell
Having a strong smell that is often unpleasant
Having a bad smell that people do not like
That has a strong, unpleasant odor
Not pleasant to taste, smell, or touch
Having a very strong unpleasant smell or taste
Having a strong, unpleasant smell
Having a strong bad smell that makes you move away
Being slightly sharp and unpleasant in taste or feeling
Food or a dish that is not pleasant to eat because it has little taste
Having a bad smell, taste, or look that makes you want to throw up
Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making people feel sick
Feels unpleasant and gross, often sticky or smelly
Antonyms
How Unpleasant
- UK
- US
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.