Unsavory

/ʌnˈseɪvəri/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Not pleasant in taste or smell; offensive.

The unsavory odor coming from the old refrigerator made me gag.

Morally offensive or disgusting; distasteful.

The politician's unsavory past eventually caught up with him during the election.

Unappetizing; not pleasing to the palate.

The unsavory dish at the restaurant left a bad impression on the diners.

From un- + savory, meaning not savory or not pleasing.

unsavory character

A person whose moral qualities are questionable.

unsavory reputation

A reputation that is generally regarded as negative or undesirable.

savory

Pleasant to taste or smell; also refers to a category of foods that are salty or spicy rather than sweet.

toxic

Poisonous; can also refer to something that is harmful or unpleasant in a figurative sense.

Sketchy or shady.

That guy seems a bit unsavory; I wouldn't trust him.

Disreputable.

The unsavory bar was known for attracting trouble.