improper

adjective

im·prop·er | \ (ˌ)im-ˈprä-pər

Definition of improper

: not proper: such as

a : not in accord with fact, truth, or right procedure : incorrect improper inference

b : not regularly or normally formed or not properly so called

c : not suited to the circumstances, design, or end improper medicine

d : not in accord with propriety, modesty, good manners, or good taste improper language

Other Words from improper Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about improper

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Choose the Right Synonym for improper

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste. indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners. indecorous behavior 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 unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste. remarried with unseemly haste unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status. conduct unbecoming to an officer indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling. indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Examples of improper in a Sentence

The doctor gave him an improper diagnosis. They claim to have evidence of improper police conduct. improper use of public land This is an improper diet for a growing teenager. It would be improper for me to ask such a favor of her. He made some improper remarks.

Recent Examples on the Web

In general, Medicaid has struggled for years with poor oversight and billions lost to improper payments, drawing regular scrutiny from federal auditors but little improvement. — Chad Terhune, Washington Post, "Insurers Fall Short In Catching And Reporting Medicaid Fraud, Inspectors Find," 12 July 2018 YouthWorks confirmed that 11 of those people received improper payments, according to the audit. — Talia Richman, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore's Youthworks program paid some people for work they didn't do, audit finds," 11 July 2018 The March subpoena asked for records relating to any improper payments to a former player whose name Maryland redacted Friday, citing federal privacy laws regarding college students. — Will Hobson, chicagotribune.com, "Maryland basketball subpoenaed in college basketball corruption probe," 6 July 2018 Metro Detroit attorney Mike Morse is pushing back against recent claims by an auto insurance company about potentially improper payments for his private jet and personal residence and alleged ties to an MRI center. — Jc Reindl, Detroit Free Press, "Mike Morse pushes back against State Farm auto insurance claims," 9 June 2018 Most of the improper payments involved billing for multiple procedures individually, rather than submitting a single comprehensive bill for each patient, according to the auditor’s report. — BostonGlobe.com, "The week in business," 21 Apr. 2018 Like [with] any rehabilitation tool, improper use can cause injury. — Isadora Baum, SELF, "7 Foam Rolling Mistakes You Should Avoid," 16 Mar. 2019 Attorneys for the defendants have filed motions alleging improper grand jury proceedings in the Schlitterbahn case, but the motions are filed under seal and were not discussed publicly on Thursday. — Steve Vockrodt And Lauren Fox, kansascity, "Schlitterbahn to tear down Verruckt water slide in KCK where young boy died in 2016," 12 July 2018 Under current law, improper entry into the U.S. can lead to a fine and imprisonment of up to six months. — Kevin Kelleher, Fortune, "GOP Bill Would Make First-Time Illegal Border Crossings a Felony, Divert Sanctuary-City Funding to ICE," 10 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'improper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.