unflattering
Makes one look worse
Unflattering describes something that makes a person or thing look worse than they actually are or could.
An unflattering photograph catches someone at a bad angle.
An unflattering review emphasizes faults.
Unflattering clothes don't suit the wearer's body.
The word implies that a more favorable presentation was possible: The biography painted an unflattering portrait of her early career.
Unattractive in appearance
- dowdyUnstylish in appearance
- frumpyDrab and unstylish
- plainBasic and unremarkable
- unappealingNot pleasing or desirable
unsightly · unbecoming · unfashionable · unstylish · inelegant · graceless · ungainly · awkward
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
- negativeOpposite of affirmative
damning · censorious · judgmental · belittling · deprecating · contemptuous · faultfinding · uncomplimentary
Honest and direct
- truthfulAccurate and sincere
- frankOpen and direct
- unvarnishedWithout embellishment or coating
- revealingMaking known what's hidden
transparent · unembellished · stark · raw · brutal · unsparing · unfiltered · warts-and-all
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- overheadLocated directly above
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- washed-outLacking original vibrancy
- shadowyObscured by darkness
unforgiving · glaring · bright · direct · stark · clinical · overexposed · bleaching
Exaggerated comic depiction
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
- distortedMisshapen from original form
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
- satiricalMocking through exaggeration
unfair · biased · skewed · misrepresented · unkind · inaccurate · one-sided · reductive
homely
Unattractive in appearance
unappealing · unsightly · unbecoming · unfashionable · unstylish · inelegant · graceless · ungainly · awkward · ill-fitting
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- scathingSeverely and bitingly critical
- derogatoryExpressing criticism or disrespect
- disparagingExpressing negative judgment
negative · damning · censorious · judgmental · belittling · deprecating · contemptuous · faultfinding · uncomplimentary · unkind
candid
Honest and direct
- truthfulAccurate and sincere
- frankOpen and direct
- unvarnishedWithout embellishment or coating
revealing · transparent · unembellished · stark · raw · brutal · unsparing · unfiltered · warts-and-all · objective
harsh
Unpleasantly severe or rough
- overheadLocated directly above
- fluorescentEmitting light when energized
- washed-outLacking original vibrancy
shadowy · unforgiving · glaring · bright · direct · stark · clinical · overexposed · bleaching · pale
caricature
Exaggerated comic depiction
- exaggeratedMade larger than reality
- distortedMisshapen from original form
- mockingScornfully imitating or ridiculing
satirical · unfair · biased · skewed · misrepresented · unkind · inaccurate · one-sided · reductive · stereotyped
unflatteringflattering
Excessively praising, often insincerely
becoming · complimentary · favorable · slimming · enhancing
unflatteringflattering
Excessively praising, often insincerely
complimentary · favorable · adulatory · laudatory · praising