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

When the coach did something inappropriate or abusive—ogling them in the showers, leaving his hand on their backsides a count or two too long, rubbing their thigh on a car ride to their homes—they’d simply grin and bear it. —Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 7 Jan. 2026

Landing Underwood was the biggest recruiting win of Moore’s two-year tenure as head coach, which ended with Moore’s firing for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a female staff member. —Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2026

The board says the client also alleged Miller made other inappropriate comments, undisclosed by the board, which Miller denied. —Clark Kauffman, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 2026

The online discourse is mainly about what some consider appropriate versus inappropriate attire for the wife of a pastor, or what's often referred to as the first lady of the church. —Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 5 Jan. 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