unsavory

/ˈʌnˌseɪvəri/

Other forms: unsavorily

Call something unsavory if it's unappetizing, tasteless, or morally offensive. Curdled sour milk is pretty unsavory, as are the dirty details of the latest political scandal.

The adjective unsavory was formed by merging un, meaning “not,” with savory, meaning “pleasant, agreeable.” So if it's unsavory, it's unpleasant. First used to describe revolting tastes, unsavory now also applies to just about anything that figuratively leaves a bad taste in your mouth. Mobsters do all kinds of unsavory things to the people that cross them. So you probably shouldn't hang out with such unsavory characters.

Definitions of unsavory

1. adjective

   morally offensive
   “an unsavory reputation”

   “an unsavory scandal”

   synonyms: offensive, unsavoury

   odoriferous

   morally offensive

   antonyms:

   savory

   morally wholesome or acceptable
2. adjective

   not pleasing in odor or taste
   synonyms: distasteful, unsavoury

   unpalatable

   not pleasant or acceptable to the taste or mind