inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
The movie's subject matter is inappropriate for small children.
inappropriately adverb
dressed inappropriately
inappropriateness noun
the inappropriateness of his comments

Examples of inappropriate in a Sentence

We won't tolerate such inappropriate behavior. Her informal manner seemed wholly inappropriate to the occasion.
Recent Examples on the Web With the rise of AI assistants designed to work in specific domains, there is a high risk of these models offering inappropriate answers on sensitive topics, like the chatbot for an eating disorder helpline that was shut down for giving detrimental advice. Olga Megorskaya, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Gabriel Ibarra, 27, was charged Monday with child solicitation and inappropriate communication with a child. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2024 After that, more girls, many of them fans who claim to have been underage at the time, came forward with their own accounts of inappropriate behaviour by Payne. Lucy Ford, TIME, 21 Oct. 2024 In 1986, Baker first broached the topic in a note to the cardinal after Mahony appealed for priests to report inappropriate behavior, according to internal church records. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inappropriate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inappropriate.' 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

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inappropriate was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near inappropriate

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

inappropriate

adjective
in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
inappropriately adverb
inappropriateness noun

Medical Definition

inappropriate

adjective
in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: abnormal
inappropriate urinary sodium excretionK. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy

More from Merriam-Webster on inappropriate

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