Unsavory
(adjective)
- Having a disagreeable or unpleasant taste, smell, or appearance.
- Not appealing or attractive.
- Having a negative, unpleasant, or unethical character or quality.
- Morally or ethically questionable.
Origin:
Late 16th century: from un- (expressing negation) + savory, on the pattern of savory.
Examples:
- The unsavory dish was not consumed by the guests.
- The unsavory conditions of the prison were widely known.
- The unsavory reputation of the politician was well established.
- The unsavory details of the crime were not revealed to the public.
- The unsavory characters were avoided by the decent people.