impropriety
noun
im·pro·pri·e·ty
ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē 
plural improprieties
1
: an improper or indecorous act or remark
accused of financial improprieties
The judge recused herself to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
especially
: an unacceptable use of a word or of language
2
: the quality or state of being improper
shocked by the impropriety of their language
Examples of impropriety in a Sentence
He has a reputation for impropriety.
The judge excused herself from the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
She was shocked by the young man's impropriety.
She was shocked by the impropriety of his behavior.
He has been accused of financial improprieties.
Recent Examples on the Web
For every apparent impropriety, there’s a reasonable explanation.
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
State Election Board member Janice Johnston has long accused Fulton County election workers with impropriety in the 2020 election.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
In the month since, the president has doubled down on his accusations of election impropriety in Georgia, receiving support from some Republican candidates running in the midterms, as well as outrage from Fulton County officials and other Democratic leaders in the state.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
In 2018, after the Miami Herald published an investigation into Epstein’s crimes, the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) opened another investigation at the behest of Congress into possible improprieties involving Florida prosecutors.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impropriety
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Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026
State Election Board member Janice Johnston has long accused Fulton County election workers with impropriety in the 2020 election.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026
In the month since, the president has doubled down on his accusations of election impropriety in Georgia, receiving support from some Republican candidates running in the midterms, as well as outrage from Fulton County officials and other Democratic leaders in the state.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
In 2018, after the Miami Herald published an investigation into Epstein’s crimes, the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) opened another investigation at the behest of Congress into possible improprieties involving Florida prosecutors.
—Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impropriety
Cite this Entry
“Impropriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impropriety. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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