Distastefully: meaning, definitions and examples

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distastefully

[dɪsˈteɪstfəli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

spoken language

In a way that causes a feeling of strong dislike or disgust.

Synonyms

disgustingly, offensively, repulsively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
distastefully	Used when something is done in a manner that is unpleasant or unappealing, but not necessarily morally wrong. He looked at the food distastefully and pushed the plate away. She distastefully declined the offer to join the gossip.
disgustingly	Used in situations where something is extremely unpleasant or gross, often evoking a strong reaction of disgust. The kitchen was disgustingly dirty, with mold everywhere. He ate the food disgustingly, smacking his lips and making loud noises.
repulsively	Used when describing something so unpleasant and gross that it causes a strong feeling of aversion or rejection. The smell from the trash was repulsively strong and made everyone gag. His repulsively rude behavior made it impossible to enjoy the evening.
offensively	Used to describe actions or behaviors that cause someone to feel insulted or hurt; carries a negative connotation. She spoke offensively to her coworkers, making them feel uncomfortable. The comment was offensively racist and unacceptable in any setting.

Examples of usage

She looked at him distastefully.
He spoke distastefully about the food at the restaurant.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

behavior

In a manner that shows a lack of good taste or refinement.

Synonyms

tastelessly, unpleasantly, unsavorily.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
distastefully	Used to describe a manner or action that causes dislike or disgust. She looked at the messy room distastefully He distastefully rejected the poorly cooked meal
tastelessly	Used to describe something lacking aesthetic quality or good taste, often in reference to fashion, decor, or behavior. The decorations were tastelessly done in bright, clashing colors He dressed tastelessly for the formal event and stood out for all the wrong reasons
unpleasantly	Used to describe something in a way that causes discomfort or is not enjoyable. The room smelled unpleasantly of mildew The conversation turned unpleasantly when they started arguing
unsavorily	Used to describe something morally questionable or not socially acceptable, often with negative connotations. He engaged in unsavorily business practices The show depicted unsavorily characters involved in illegal activities

Examples of usage

She dressed distastefully for the occasion.
His jokes were considered distasteful by many.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'distastefully' combines 'distaste', meaning dislike, with the adverbial suffix '-fully', which implies the manner in which something is done.
The roots of 'distaste' go back to the 15th century, originating from the Old French 'dester', meaning to displease.
The prefix 'dis-' generally indicates a negation, suggesting a feeling that something is not pleasing.

Psychology

Feeling distaste can trigger strong emotional responses, often linked to personal values or societal norms.
Research shows that distasteful experiences can lead to avoidance behavior, shaping our preferences over time.
The sensation of disgust, which is closely related to feeling distasteful, is a basic emotion that plays a role in survival by helping avoid harmful substances.

Culture

In literature, characters often react distastefully to situations or actions, which can signal moral judgments and character development.
Cooking shows frequently highlight distasteful dishes, where judges express their reactions, influencing viewers’ perceptions of food.
Art exhibits sometimes evoke distaste, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable themes or societal issues.

Social Etiquette

Using language distastefully can lead to social repercussions, as it reflects poorly on one’s character and manners.
Certain topics, such as politics or personal hygiene, can be discussed distastefully in social settings, which may make conversations uncomfortable.
In formal events, behaving distastefully can ruin the ambiance, leading to disapproval from attendees.

Media and Communication

Social media often amplifies distasteful opinions, leading to backlash and debates over freedom of speech vs. responsibility.
Comedians may use distasteful humor to push boundaries, often provoking mixed reactions from audiences.
Reality TV frequently dramatizes distasteful moments for entertainment, sometimes reshaping the public's understanding of social norms.

Translations

Translations of the word "distastefully" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desagradavelmente

🇮🇳 अप्रिय तरीके से

🇩🇪 geschmacklos

🇮🇩 dengan tidak enak

🇺🇦 несмачно

🇵🇱 niegustownie

🇯🇵 不快に

🇫🇷 désagréablement

🇪🇸 desagradablemente

🇹🇷 tatsız bir şekilde

🇰🇷 불쾌하게

🇸🇦 بشكل غير سار

🇨🇿 nechutně

🇸🇰 nechutne

🇨🇳 令人反感地

🇸🇮 neokusno

🇮🇸 ógeðslega

🇰🇿 жағымсыз түрде

🇬🇪 უსიამოვნოდ

🇦🇿 dadı pis

🇲🇽 desagradablemente

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,423, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
39420 coarsen
39421 spitefulness
39422 limning
39423 distastefully
39424 infrasonic
39425 phat
39426 hypermarket
...