impropriety

noun

im·​pro·​pri·​e·​ty ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē How to pronounce impropriety (audio)
plural improprieties
1
: an improper or indecorous act or remark
especially : an unacceptable use of a word or of language
2
: the quality or state of being improper

Examples of impropriety in a Sentence

He has a reputation for impropriety. The judge excused herself from the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety. She was shocked by the young man's impropriety. She was shocked by the impropriety of his behavior. He has been accused of financial improprieties.
Recent Examples on the Web Still, any suggestion of impropriety will no doubt grate within Labour, which is perhaps more sensitive to allegations of improper political contributions than most other parties of late. Yasmeen Serhan, TIME, 23 Oct. 2024 Zach Manifold, elections supervisor in Gwinnett County, Georgia, outside Atlanta, explained that poll workers must receive official training and swear an oath of office — procedures statutorily required in most states — and can be dismissed for impropriety at any time. Phoebe Petrovic, ProPublica, 16 Oct. 2024 As of last July, she was herself placed under investigation and charged with legal improprieties related to her husband, the former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who faces his third criminal trial in 2025 for improper financing of his re-election campaign financing. Guy Martin, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024 Even before sitting at the nexus of viral success and serious business impropriety, Donaldson has admitted he’s missed the mark sometimes. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impropriety 

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

Word History

Etymology

French or Late Latin; French impropriété, from Late Latin improprietat-, improprietas, from Latin improprius

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impropriety was in 1607

Dictionary Entries Near impropriety

Cite this Entry

“Impropriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impropriety. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

impropriety

noun
im·​pro·​pri·​ety
ˌim-prə-ˈprī-ət-ē
plural improprieties
1
: the quality or state of being improper
2
: an improper act or remark

More from Merriam-Webster on impropriety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!