Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective improper differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of improper are indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When would indecorous be a good substitute for improper?

The synonyms indecorous and improper are sometimes interchangeable, but indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When is indelicate a more appropriate choice than improper?

The words indelicate and improper can be used in similar contexts, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of improper?

While in some cases nearly identical to improper, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When could unseemly be used to replace improper?

The words unseemly and improper are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

Examples of improper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The 2016 selection of Lennar Urban was stained by improper lobbying efforts and meddling by councilmembers. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2024 He was arrested on October 30, 2022 during the uprisings in Iran sparked by the murder of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, who was accused of improper head covering and died in the custody of the country’s morality police. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Oct. 2024 In a pilot study, the group found that widespread mislabeling and improper stowage meant that nearly 70% of shipping containers arriving in the U.S. with dangerous goods failed the bureau's safety inspection. CBS News, 3 Oct. 2024 Shares of Acadia Healthcare (ACHC) slid significantly Friday after the Justice Department announced that the company would pay nearly $20 million to settle allegations of improper billing. Bybrooke Seipel, Fortune, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for improper 

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

Thesaurus Entries Near improper

Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

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