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 of inappropriate

• 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

Making matters worse, the Blueprint is wholly inappropriate for many of Maryland’s counties. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2026

As City Hall contracted with Washington’s organization, emails detailing allegations of inappropriate behavior followed, The Star found. —Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2026

The report, released in August 2025, found that Rutledge had been reported for inappropriate behavior to school leadership multiple times and that the school failed to act. —Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026

But the decision appears related to OpenAI’s potential IPO later in 2026, rather than about problems of weird or inappropriate AI video creations. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

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