Unwholesome: meaning, definitions and examples

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unwholesome

 

[ ʌnˈhəʊls(ə)m ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

food

Not conducive to good health; unhealthy or harmful.

Synonyms

detrimental, harmful, unhealthy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unwholesome

Used to describe something that is morally or physically disturbing and not good for well-being.

  • The unwholesome atmosphere of the haunted house gave everyone chills.
  • He had an unwholesome obsession with dark magic.
unhealthy

Typically used to describe something that negatively affects physical health or wellness.

  • Fast food is often considered unhealthy.
  • Sitting for long periods is unhealthy.
harmful

Used for anything that directly causes harm or injury, be it physical or psychological.

  • Chemicals in the factory can be harmful to workers.
  • Watching too much TV can be harmful to your eyes.
detrimental

Appropriate for describing something that causes damage or harm, especially in a broader context such as health, environment, or relationships.

  • Long-term exposure to loud noise is detrimental to hearing.
  • Smoking has detrimental effects on health.

Examples of usage

  • Avoiding unwholesome processed foods is important for maintaining a balanced diet.
  • The doctor warned against consuming unwholesome snacks high in sugar and saturated fats.
Context #2 | Adjective

environment

Not conducive to moral well-being; morally harmful or corrupting.

Synonyms

corrupting, depraved, immoral.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unwholesome

Use 'unwholesome' to describe something that might be unhealthy or harmful, often in terms of physical or mental well-being.

  • Eating too much junk food is unwholesome
  • The unwholesome environment affected his mental health
immoral

Use 'immoral' when describing actions, ideas, or behaviors that go against accepted moral standards; generally used to judge right from wrong.

  • Cheating on an exam is considered immoral
  • Taking bribes is an immoral practice
corrupting

Use 'corrupting' when referring to something that can morally degrade or spoil a person, often used in the context of influences or power.

  • The corrupting influence of absolute power cannot be underestimated
  • Watching too much violent TV can be corrupting for young minds
depraved

Use 'depraved' to describe actions or behavior that are morally repugnant or evil; has a strong negative connotation.

  • The serial killer's depraved actions shocked the community
  • The novel explores the depraved behavior of its main character

Examples of usage

  • The novel described the unwholesome environment of the criminal underworld.
  • The movie depicted the unwholesome influence of greed and power.

Translations

Translations of the word "unwholesome" in other languages:

🇵🇹 insalubre

🇮🇳 अस्वास्थ्यकर

🇩🇪 ungesund

🇮🇩 tidak sehat

🇺🇦 нездоровий

🇵🇱 niezdrowy

🇯🇵 不健康な (ふけんこうな)

🇫🇷 malsain

🇪🇸 insalubre

🇹🇷 sağlıksız

🇰🇷 불건전한

🇸🇦 غير صحي

🇨🇿 nezdravý

🇸🇰 nezdravý

🇨🇳 不健康的 (bù jiànkāng de)

🇸🇮 nezdrav

🇮🇸 óhollt

🇰🇿 зиянды

🇬🇪 არაჯანსაღი

🇦🇿 sağlamlığa zərərli

🇲🇽 insalubre

Etymology

The word 'unwholesome' dates back to the early 16th century, derived from the combination of 'un-' (meaning 'not') and 'wholesome'. It originally referred to something that was not physically or morally healthy. Over time, the word has been used to describe anything that is harmful, unhealthy, or morally corrupting.

See also: wholesomeness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,706, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.