as in improperly
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Recent Examples of imperfectly
Ideally everything will reach the market quickly, if imperfectly, rather than Anduril waiting another decade and spending billions to reach 100% perfection.
—
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 May 2026
But the trajectory seems to be that science is learning, cautiously and imperfectly, to author life.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
The marathon showed that robots can run—imperfectly, but convincingly enough.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
They can be done imperfectly without being done disastrously.
—Leslie John, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Yet, like Bessette’s relationship with the Kennedy family scion, her eternity band is shrouded in mystery—imperfectly recorded through rumors, second-hand accounts, and myths invented by the press and populace.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
While Julia-Roberts-as-Liz-Gilbert’s story ended, Liz-Gilbert-as-Liz-Gilbert is still moving ahead, honestly and imperfectly.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Inspired by the designs of the Belgian interior designer and art dealer Axel Vervoordt, its wabi-sabi interiors are an imperfectly perfect melange of cool-toned walls and warm natural materials.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
That lineage reaches back to the Taíno people of Borikén, whose social organization, relationship to land, communal life, and expressive culture were documented, however imperfectly and through colonial lenses, by figures such as Christopher Columbus and Bartolomé de las Casas.
—Dr. Carlos A Torre, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 6 May 2026
But the trajectory seems to be that science is learning, cautiously and imperfectly, to author life.
—André O. Hudson, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2026
The marathon showed that robots can run—imperfectly, but convincingly enough.
—Ni Tao, Interesting Engineering, 20 Apr. 2026
They can be done imperfectly without being done disastrously.
—Leslie John, Time, 27 Feb. 2026
Yet, like Bessette’s relationship with the Kennedy family scion, her eternity band is shrouded in mystery—imperfectly recorded through rumors, second-hand accounts, and myths invented by the press and populace.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
While Julia-Roberts-as-Liz-Gilbert’s story ended, Liz-Gilbert-as-Liz-Gilbert is still moving ahead, honestly and imperfectly.
—Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Inspired by the designs of the Belgian interior designer and art dealer Axel Vervoordt, its wabi-sabi interiors are an imperfectly perfect melange of cool-toned walls and warm natural materials.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
That lineage reaches back to the Taíno people of Borikén, whose social organization, relationship to land, communal life, and expressive culture were documented, however imperfectly and through colonial lenses, by figures such as Christopher Columbus and Bartolomé de las Casas.
—Dr. Carlos A Torre, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imperfectly
Adverb
-
The Virginia Supreme Court ruled the Democratic legislature improperly began the amendment process after early voting had started in the state’s general election.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
The move led to criticism, most notably from members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC who argued the DCCC was improperly tipping the scales in favor of Bains.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Adverb
-
It should be noted that a tree or any other plant, for that matter, does not stand much of a chance in the long term where the soil drains inadequately.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Juries in the two trials determined that Meta inadequately policed its site, putting kids in harm’s way.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
But this year, candidates received a yellow notice instructing them to only file their disclosures online with the state, and not with any other entity, leading seven candidates, including the four now running independently, to incorrectly file their financial documents.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
-
Gnats were observed during the second inspection, and some food was still incorrectly stored but fixed during the inspection.—
Eva Flowe
May 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 May 2026
Adverb
-
Rightly or wrongly, the racing has been exciting.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
But that didn't stop Vrabel from putting him on notice that, rightly or wrongly in the coach's opinion, everyone must represent the team in a certain way.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
If an Entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost, or destroyed, entrant’s sole remedy shall be another entry into the Sweepstakes.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
10 May 2026
-
This comes just days after FIFA President Gianni Infantino tried to defend the sky-high ticket prices by (erroneously) comparing them to college football get-in prices.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adverb
-
Though Rogers is Christian, his story of transformation from weakling to hero certainly spoke to young Jewish boys and men, who were often inaccurately portrayed in the media and press as intellectually superior but physically inferior.—
Miriam Eve Mora,
The Conversation,
7 May 2026
-
In 2024, Abbott recalled several lots of Libre 3 sensors due to inaccurately high readings.—
Elizabeth Chuck,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled Monday that Thao and her three co-defendants failed to prove government authorities acted inappropriately or hid damning details about their star witness while building their sprawling corruption case in the first half of 2024.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Guadalupe Mercado-Guerra, from Mexico, reportedly touched a minor inappropriately multiple times in Travis County, Texas, near the city of Austin.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The registered nurse and community activist has depicted Foster as insufficiently progressive on housing equity issues.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Abdul-Mateen’s performance is perpetually glum, but insufficiently monomaniacal, lowering the stakes throughout.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Imperfectly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imperfectly. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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