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

Cabin crews also get frustrated by passengers flushing inappropriate items, like wet wipes, which clog airplane toilets. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 16 Sep. 2025

Rivian also faces opposition from some residents who say the plant is an inappropriate neighbor to farms and will pollute the groundwater. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025

After further studies and community meetings, city planners found three intersections to be inappropriate and dropped them from the plan. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Sep. 2025

Thomson benched Castellanos in June after the veteran made an inappropriate comment to him after being removed for defensive purposes. —Levi Weaver, New York Times, 15 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