Definition

Adverb: 1. In a manner lacking aesthetic judgment or social appropriateness; in a way considered vulgar, garish, or offensive to good taste. * The primary meaning describes actions, decorations, or behaviors that show poor judgment regarding style, beauty, or what is socially acceptable. 2. In a manner lacking flavor. * A less common, literal meaning describing food or drink prepared without sufficient seasoning or flavor.

Examples of Usage

• Adverb (Poor Aesthetic/Social Taste):
  • The mansion was tastelessly decorated with gold-plated fixtures and neon lights.
  • He tastelessly joked about the tragedy at the dinner party.
  • She was criticized for dressing tastelessly for the formal event.
• Adverb (Lacking Flavor):
  • The soup was tastelessly bland, as if no salt had been added.

Advanced Usage

• "to act tastelessly": to behave in a crude or socially inappropriate way.
  • Celebrities who act tastelessly in public often face backlash from the media.
• "to be tastelessly opulent": to display wealth in a showy, vulgar, and excessive manner.
  • The casino's lobby was tastelessly opulent, designed to overwhelm the senses.

Variants and Related Words

• Tasteless (adjective): Having or showing poor taste; lacking flavor.
  • a tasteless remark; tasteless food.
• Tastelessness (noun): The quality or state of being tasteless.
  • The tastelessness of the advertisement offended many viewers.

Synonyms

• Vulgarly: In a crude, unrefined manner.
• Garishly: In a overly bright or showy way that is unpleasant to look at.
• Gaudily: In a extravagantly bright or showy, but tasteless, manner.
• Inappropriately: In a way not suitable or proper for the occasion.

Antonyms

• Tastefully: In a manner showing good aesthetic or social judgment.
• Elegantly: In a pleasingly graceful and stylish manner.
• Appropriately: In a way suitable or proper for the circumstances.

Adverb

1. without taste or in poor taste; in a tasteless manner
   • the house was tastelessly decorated