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unbecomingly

unbecomingly

1 8.1
In a way that is not proper or suitable for the situation
  • adverb
  • /ˌʌnbɪˈkʌmɪŋli/
  • Formal
: inadecuadamente
  • But his argument is unbecomingly self-serving; it is also very far from self-evidently correct.

Examples

  • She was aware she had spoken unbecomingly and vehemently, afraid she had betrayed something in herself, as indeed she had.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The bridegroom was hollering that he would report the guides to the tour company for having endangered the group, and the bride sulked unbecomingly.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Julia felt unbecomingly relieved during the hours.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Marianne was laughing so hard, tears leaked unbecomingly from her eyes.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • After they became disobedient to their master, that is the Creator, they experienced at once some stirring in their genitalia, which they understood as being against reason and the law of the soul, and which they had not known before. For that reason, they were ashamed of being naked, since they moved unbecomingly and their limbs were bare, for which reason they were afterwards called 'hidden limbs.'

    Academic text (1998)
  • His behavior at the formal event was unbecomingly loud and disruptive.

  • She criticized him unbecomingly, making everyone around her uncomfortable.

  • The politician's unbecomingly rude comments shocked the audience.

Synonyms

improperly
vsunbecomingly
41 3.4

In a way that is wrong or not suitable for the situation

focuses specifically on lack of suitability or proper conduct
inappropriately
vsunbecomingly
40 4.5

In a way that is not right for the situation

is the broader term for behaviour judged improper or unsuitable
rudely
vsunbecomingly
24 1.3

In a way that is not polite and shows no respect

covers socially improper behaviour beyond blunt disrespect
unacceptably
vsunbecomingly
4 4.4

To a level that cannot be tolerated

describes improper behaviour without stressing how much it offends
contemptuously
vsunbecomingly
4 7.5

In a way that shows you have no respect for someone or something

focuses on general impropriety rather than strong contempt
incongruously
vsunbecomingly
2 7.9

In a way that seems out of place for the situation

emphasizes unsuitability in social rules rather than being merely out of place
discourteously
vsunbecomingly
1 6.9

In a rude or impolite way

is broader, covering improper acts beyond simple impoliteness
inelegantly
vsunbecomingly
1 5.5

In a clumsy way that is not graceful

is about being improper or unsuitable rather than just ungainly
ungraciously
vsunbecomingly
1 7.1

In a rude or unfriendly way

focuses on breach of propriety and proper conduct instead of charm
impolitely
vsunbecomingly
1 4.2

In a rude way that shows little respect for others

is about general unsuitability rather than direct disrespect
inconsiderately
vsunbecomingly
1 6.5

Without thinking about other people's feelings

is about being unsuitable or improper, not only thoughtless conduct
insolently
vsunbecomingly
1 7.6

In a rude way that shows no respect for people in charge

is about being improper in many ways, not just defiant tone
impertinently
vsunbecomingly
1 7.6

In a rude way that shows no respect for a person in charge

is wider, applying to inappropriate behaviour not only cheeky remarks
infelicitously
vsunbecomingly
  • Formal
1 9.9

In an awkward or wrong way that causes trouble

is about impropriety rather than mere awkwardness or bad timing
uncivilly
vsunbecomingly
1 7.4

In a rude way that shows no respect

is concerned with breach of decorum more than general rudeness
objectionably
vsunbecomingly
1 7.7

In a way that many people find rude or offensive

refers more narrowly to being improper or lacking decorum
indecorously
vsunbecomingly
  • Formal
1 8.7

In a way that shows bad manners

is the general label for behaviour that is not proper or suitable
uncouthly
vsunbecomingly
1 8.8

In a rude, awkward way that shows little politeness

is more about violating rules of propriety than mere roughness
ungallantly
vsunbecomingly
1 9.1

In a way that is not polite or helpful to others

is the general sense of unsuitability, not a loss of gallantry

Antonyms

116 3.5

In a suitable way for the situation

9 3.9

In a way that is right for the situation

becomingly
  • Archaic
1 6.6

In an attractive and suitable way, especially about dress or appearance

How Unbecoming

scandalously
  • Literature
2 6.1
indecently
  • NSFW
1 6.7
unbecomingly
  • Formal
1 8.1
improperly
41 3.4
unsuitably
1 4.0

Surface Forms

unbecomingly positive

Morphology

unbecomingly = unbecoming (transparent) = un + becoming + ly

Formed by adding the adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'unbecoming' (un- + becoming); the meaning 'in an inappropriate manner' follows regular compositional rules.

Etymology

Unbecomingly comes from un- 'not' and becoming 'suitable' or 'making someone look good', as when we call a dress 'becoming'. So, to behave unbecomingly is to act 'not suitable' or not proper for the situation.