inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
Synonyms of inappropriatenext
: 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

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
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.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said at a news conference that Hill’s conduct was inappropriate but ultimately harmless. Abigail Brooks, NBC news, 14 May 2026 And, to be clear, none of the $625,000 in bonuses – which represent only a small fraction of the Estate's expenses for the period in question - were paid to the executors, and the court did not in any way say that the executors had made any inappropriate payments to themselves. Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026 Former clerk influenced jury, court finds Murdaugh’s appeal focused on allegedly inappropriate comments to jurors from Hill, who worked during Murdaugh’s trial and later wrote a tell-all book about it. Dianne Gallagher, CNN Money, 13 May 2026 At last night’s show, people were laughing at inappropriate times and multiple phones went off. Zak Cheney-Rice, Vulture, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for inappropriate

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inappropriate was in 1804

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inappropriate. Accessed 14 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

inappropriate

adjective
in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
inappropriately adverb
inappropriateness noun

Medical Definition

inappropriate

adjective
in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: abnormal
inappropriate urinary sodium excretionK. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy

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