inappropriate
adjective
in·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət 
: 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
MacPherson, who was let go in January 2024 as NU’s associate head coach, was also accused in a separate lawsuit, filed by former quarterback Lloyd Yates and an unnamed John Doe, of observing hazing incidents and making inappropriate comments about the latter’s girlfriend.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Dec. 2025
My laugh, which Tashun always found inappropriate, would have slipped past my lips.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Previous research has revealed that misreading or overlooking emotional cues in dogs can lead to inappropriate handling, and even lead to animals getting stressed.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
FoloToy paused sales of its AI teddy bear Kumma after a safety group found the toy gave risky and inappropriate responses during testing.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
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Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Dec. 2025
My laugh, which Tashun always found inappropriate, would have slipped past my lips.
—Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Previous research has revealed that misreading or overlooking emotional cues in dogs can lead to inappropriate handling, and even lead to animals getting stressed.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
FoloToy paused sales of its AI teddy bear Kumma after a safety group found the toy gave risky and inappropriate responses during testing.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
Cite this Entry
“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inappropriate. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inappropriate
adjective
in·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
inappropriately
adverb
inappropriateness
noun
Medical Definition
inappropriate
adjective
in·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət
: abnormal
inappropriate urinary sodium excretion—K. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy
K. G. Barry & J. P. MalloyLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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