Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective improper differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of improper are indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When would indecorous be a good substitute for improper?

The synonyms indecorous and improper are sometimes interchangeable, but indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When is indelicate a more appropriate choice than improper?

The words indelicate and improper can be used in similar contexts, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of improper?

While in some cases nearly identical to improper, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When could unseemly be used to replace improper?

The words unseemly and improper are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

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 improper Lawyers for Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles III, will set out to show that the News Group executives concealed and sought to destroy evidence of hacking and other improper practices. Mark Landler, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 Food was stored in an improper manner, according to the report. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025 Durbin’s letter indicates Patel may have made an improper disclosure of classified information in the process, noting the Justice Department reportedly received a complaint from an intelligence agency about one of his disclosures. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025 Gerard Carbonaro, 61, was arrested Saturday on charges of reckless driving, improper passing, second-degree reckless endangerment and false statement, according to Connecticut State Police. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for improper 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
  • That included establishing a hotline where callers could report abuse and inappropriate behavior by campus faculty and staff.
    Sara Coello, Charlotte Observer, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Allegations against him included inappropriate physical contact with a student, an unwillingness to adhere to special education laws and subjective grading practices.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The following year, regulators ruled that the company is unsuitable to operate its casinos in Sydney and Queensland, placing them under government supervision.
    Yessar Rosendar, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • That's because Blue Origin aims to recover the first stage of the New Glenn rocket, and sea states in the Atlantic Ocean have been unsuitable for an initial attempt to catch the first stage booster on a drone ship.
    Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Hassan quizzed him on different aspects of Medicare and his answers were incorrect.
    Will Stone, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025
  • But Patel's information was incorrect: the Nigerians had not given their approval.
    Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But Vučević is regressing rapidly to the mean at the absolute wrong stretch, plummeting below 27% shooting behind the arc in January.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Not that there’s anything wrong with people there, but no one should have that much knowledge about what people think about you.
    Ian Cohen, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Even Democrats, who say Patel is unqualified and unfit for the role, seemed resigned to his fate.
    Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Already, we’ve been disappointed by the body’s willingness to sign off on unfit nominees like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but here is where there must be a bipartisan drawing of the line.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Witherspoon presents Margot not as some unhappy bachelorette, but as a modern, self-reliant woman.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025
  • The Thailand-set season sees a new crop of unhappy, rich vacationers at a luxurious resort.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near improper

Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

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