imprecise

adjective

im·​pre·​cise ˌim-pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce imprecise (audio)
: not precise : inexact, vague
an imprecise estimate
imprecisely adverb
impreciseness noun
imprecision noun

Examples of imprecise in a Sentence

It's an imprecise translation of the original sentence. 3.14 is an imprecise approximation of the value of pi
Recent Examples on the Web For humans, the sense of smell is a crude and imprecise tool. Jack Gedney, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise, and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024 The results were weighted to match census and voter registration benchmarks, so estimates of the margin of error may be imprecise. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2024 The exact number of homeless people who die annually is a frustratingly imprecise statistic, according to Whitehead. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 22 Dec. 2023 This variance in test results is an obvious indicator that many of today’s testing kits are imprecise. Sameer Berry, STAT, 2 Jan. 2024 At least once a week, Russia attacks Zaporizhzhia — often with S-300 missiles, which are imprecise and impossible to intercept given their speed and the city’s proximity to the front, about 20 miles south. Serhii Korolchuk, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023 The opening of this novel resembles a dreamscape—the details are imprecise and ephemeral. Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 16 Nov. 2023 Confirming insect extinctions is a science, albeit an imprecise one. Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 1 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imprecise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imprecise was in 1805

Dictionary Entries Near imprecise

Cite this Entry

“Imprecise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imprecise. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

imprecise

adjective
im·​pre·​cise ˌim-pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce imprecise (audio)
: not precise
an imprecise estimate
imprecisely adverb
impreciseness noun
imprecision noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imprecise

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