# distasteful

/dɪˈsteɪstfəɫ/ (US) · /dɪstˈeɪstfəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distasteful
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

something that makes you feel unpleasant or morally wrong. You use this to describe things that are hard to look at or listen to.

For teachers: causing a feeling of strong disapproval or moral revulsion. Often used to describe sensory experiences or social behaviors that are unpleasant to the observer.

## Examples

- The smell of the old trash was distasteful.
- The politician's distasteful comments about his opponent were widely criticized by the media.
- While the task was necessary for the project's completion, the distasteful nature of the work made it difficult for the team to maintain their morale.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.