unpleasantry
2
8.1
- noun
- /ʌnˈplɛzəntri/
- She regretted the unpleasantries she had said in anger.
Examples
-
After a few unpleasantries, the meeting quickly ended in silence.
-
The two colleagues exchanged unpleasantries during the heated discussion.
-
He made an unpleasantry during the meeting.
-
I can't believe she said that unpleasantry!
-
During their discussion, she made an unpleasantry that upset everyone at the table.
-
The meeting was filled with unpleasantries, making it difficult to reach an agreement.
-
His comment was such an unpleasantry that it ruined the friendly atmosphere.
Synonyms
6
3.5
A rude remark that hurts or upsets someone
1
9.2
An offensive or rude word considered inappropriate in polite speech
1
6.3
A short sharp comment that sounds rude
1
8.8
A mean remark that hurts or criticizes someone
A rude comment that shows no respect for other people
A rude comment that offends people
Antonyms
How Rude
- Offensive
2
7.7
- Offensive
286
1.3
2
8.1
720
1.7
193
1.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
unpleasantry = pleasantry (transparent) = un + pleasant + ry
Formed by productive prefix 'un-' attached to the noun 'pleasantry' whose meaning ('a polite or agreeable remark') is clear, so the negated meaning is straightforward.
Etymology
Unpleasantry is made of un- ('not') and pleasantry, from pleasant meaning 'nice'. So an unpleasantry is literally 'not nice' and refers to an unpleasant or rude remark in a conversation.