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
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
Pelosi has faced allegations of trading on insider information during her time in Congress but has denied any impropriety.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Mandelson twice had to resign from government during the Blair administration over allegations of financial or ethical impropriety, acknowledging mistakes but denying wrongdoing.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Clark’s abrupt departure happened amid an ongoing federal investigation into the MLBPA’s finances and allegations of impropriety, leaving the union in a state of upheaval heading into the sport’s biggest labor negotiation this century.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impropriety
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026
Pelosi has faced allegations of trading on insider information during her time in Congress but has denied any impropriety.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Mandelson twice had to resign from government during the Blair administration over allegations of financial or ethical impropriety, acknowledging mistakes but denying wrongdoing.
—Pan Pylas, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Clark’s abrupt departure happened amid an ongoing federal investigation into the MLBPA’s finances and allegations of impropriety, leaving the union in a state of upheaval heading into the sport’s biggest labor negotiation this century.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 22 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 3 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
