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

Beijing also temporarily removed Jinri Toutiao, a Bytedance news-aggregation app, from app stores for hosting content deemed by authorities as improper and harmful. — Yoko Kubota, WSJ, "TikTok’s Videos Are Goofy. Its Strategy to Dominate Social Media Is Serious.," 29 June 2019 On top of that, experts say improper installation reduces the effectiveness of many advanced headlights, turning what should be safety aids into glaring annoyances for other drivers. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "Brighter, no glare headlights are coming. Here's what we know," 15 June 2019 According to Barry Montgomery, Gartner's attorney, the fire department claims the investigation was prompted by the improper acquisition of a service dog. — Kathryn Vasel, CNN, "Fired for being transgender: The fight for LGBTQ workers' rights," 14 June 2019 The report faulted improper planning, training, equipment, skills and procedures. — Jordan Blum, Houston Chronicle, "Report finds sweeping blame and negligence for fatal Oklahoma rig explosion," 12 June 2019 Even meeting to chat with former defendants in prison, as another Seattle judge had done, was seen by many as improper or dangerous. — Matthew Van Meter, The New Republic, "The Judge and the Three-Strikes Convict," 17 June 2019 Hansberry and Watson also challenged other issues, claiming, for example, that the jury instructions were improper and confusing and that a government witness made false statements in the case. — Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit police officers lose appeal: ‘They were dirty cops’," 13 June 2019 An audit by state Controller Betty Yee alleged that there had been more than $305,000 in improper or questionable spending over the last four years that included travel, food, gifts to employees and entertainment expenses. — Patrick Mcgreevy, latimes.com, "California Lottery director steps down amid controversy, pressure from governor’s office," 7 June 2019 There’s asbestos, mold, diesel smoke and improper venting. — Anna Beahm | Abeahm@al.com, al.com, "Lawyer for firefighter says mold, asbestos in Birmingham station," 6 June 2019

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.