as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
an ill-advised criticism of the boss at a company function
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of ill-advised
In an era of partisan and often ill-advised policymaking, the fact that 24 senators with profoundly disparate ideologies united to pass a worthwhile legislative package deserves to be celebrated.
—
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Her classmate grabs her arm beneath the table, aware that any criticism of the ruling Taliban government is ill-advised.
—Mark Baron, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
And would that have been ill-advised, in retrospect?
—Jordan Michelman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 July 2025
Although a complete switch is ill-advised, Vallotton said there are ways for parents to ease their children into a '90s kid summer by slowly limiting screen time, promoting more outdoor activities and fostering opportunities for peer play with minimal supervision.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill-advised
Editorial, Boston Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Her classmate grabs her arm beneath the table, aware that any criticism of the ruling Taliban government is ill-advised.
—Mark Baron, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2025
And would that have been ill-advised, in retrospect?
—Jordan Michelman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 July 2025
Although a complete switch is ill-advised, Vallotton said there are ways for parents to ease their children into a '90s kid summer by slowly limiting screen time, promoting more outdoor activities and fostering opportunities for peer play with minimal supervision.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ill-advised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-advised
Adjective
-
The girl also reported seeing inappropriate images on the screensaver of an iPad at Berrelez’s home.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Judge Arun Subramanian noted the tone of the defense's letter was inappropriate and should not be done again.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Cucumbers can sometimes carry Salmonella, which may contaminate their skin or flesh during irrigation with unsafe water or through improper handling and distribution practices.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The new order said the justices were not making a final determination, but the administration had made sufficient showing at this stage that the challenge brought by foreign assistance groups to Trump's spending freeze was improper.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Systemic risk: The combination of low interest rates and an expanding economy encourages speculation and imprudent risk taking.—
Hersh Shefrin,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Huger was ultimately charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Beers Criteria, a directory of drugs often deemed inadvisable for older adults, recently published recommendations for alternative medications and nonpharmacological treatments for frequent problems.—
Paula Span,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Messner’s name would come up repeatedly on Ojos, as a shorthand for either the pure or the inadvisable approach to our expedition.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
So maybe use the feelings aroused by your sister-in-law’s thoughtless, certainly injudicious, possibly naughty remark as an opportunity to rise above.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2024
-
Pam Anderson wasn’t a bad girl, per se, just a bit injudicious.—
John Anderson,
WSJ,
7 Dec. 2022
Adjective
-
The name-calling and the stupid AI and the imagery has got to stop.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
-
These kids are being stupid and absurd and reckless and not thinking about anything other than what’s directly in front of their faces.—
Will Leitch,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The emirate has funded its governance in Gaza (at times at Netanyahu’s unwise request) and hosted its leaders in exile for years.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Then again, given how well quarterback Justin Herbert has connected with his wide receivers, the Chargers would have been unwise to go away from what was working so well for them.—
Elliott Teaford,
Oc Register,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But Thomas has been lazy all year and lost a catch Sunday being careless with his feet on what should have been an easy completion on the sideline, unable to get a second foot down with a lot of room.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
The subsequent uncertainty and introspection are exacerbated during a pre-festival press conference, which becomes a flashpoint when the cast and crew come under fire for an allegedly careless adaptation.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ill-advised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-advised. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share