inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət 

: not appropriate : unsuitable

inappropriate behavior

The movie's subject matter is inappropriate for small children.

inappropriately adverb

dressed inappropriately

inappropriateness noun

the inappropriateness of his comments

Synonyms

• unsuitable
• improper
• incorrect
• wrong
• unhappy
• unfit
• irrelevant

Examples of inappropriate in a Sentence

We won't tolerate such inappropriate behavior.

Her informal manner seemed wholly inappropriate to the occasion.

Recent Examples on the Web

The decision to place Hauck on leave followed three complaints accusing him of inappropriate speech on multiple occasions, according to records received via a Freedom of Information Act request. —Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025

Brunson was fined for an inappropriate social media comment directed at WNBA officials. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2025

This behavior by fans has had a major impact on social media, with numerous users denouncing it as inappropriate. —Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

All of these are valid critiques via a wholly inappropriate medium. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inappropriate

• appropriate

Kids Definition

inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət 

: not appropriate : unsuitable

inappropriate behavior

inappropriately adverb

inappropriateness noun

Medical Definition

inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət 

: abnormal

inappropriate urinary sodium excretion

—K. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy