as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
an improper use of slang in a formal piece of writing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of improper
These symptoms can indicate bacterial or fungal problems, pests, or improper care like too much or too little water.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The Mid-City district requested a delay, contending the proposal was an improper attempt by the mayor’s office to take funds away from neighborhood leaders.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
The improper disclosure to the media that Rollins was disciplined for came three days after Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden won the primary against her preferred candidate, ex-City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Graf sided with a defense motion arguing the sheriff's office joint filing with the prosecution was procedurally improper, but did not make a decision about whether to issue a blanket ban on photography and video recording in the courtroom or hold certain hearings remotely.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2025
The Mid-City district requested a delay, contending the proposal was an improper attempt by the mayor’s office to take funds away from neighborhood leaders.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
The improper disclosure to the media that Rollins was disciplined for came three days after Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden won the primary against her preferred candidate, ex-City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
Graf sided with a defense motion arguing the sheriff's office joint filing with the prosecution was procedurally improper, but did not make a decision about whether to issue a blanket ban on photography and video recording in the courtroom or hold certain hearings remotely.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
-
The class counsel has argued that objectors are raising either points that were already decided, inappropriate for this forum, or unreasonable to address.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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But some former students recently accused Gabbard, whose name is on the high school gym floor, of inappropriate conduct.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But the movie only gives tiny little tastes of 1982 rock culture, and why Nebraska was so comically unsuitable for airplay.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
2 Nov. 2025
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This closeness causes gravitational instability that existing planetary formation models have suggested should result in an environment unsuitable for planet formation.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Using incorrect or false case references in legal documents has real implications for defendants, because judges rely on these references to help form their rulings, Kjoller’s lawyers wrote.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Appeals can be made based on factors including incorrect data, adverse testing conditions, and school or community emergencies, according to the State Board of Education.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As analysis, that’s not wrong, but where’s the sting of it inside this bizarre bonbon of a musical?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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Despite his brilliance and intellect, he was prevented from having a full life by being born on the wrong side of Israel’s separation fence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Miyares referenced a Richmond Times-Dispatch report of a Virginia trooper clocking Jones at 116 miles per hour, framing him as unfit to enforce the law.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The Bush and Quayle team won the 1988 election, but the impression of Quayle as unfit for the job remained a drag on Bush’s reputation.—
Time,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Pauline Collins, the exuberant British actress who inspired women — and men, too — to do something to change their unhappy lives with her Oscar-nominated and Olivier- and Tony-winning performances in Shirley Valentine, has died.—
Lisa de los Reyes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
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That distaste didn’t hurt Spanberger and her ticket, because 18% of those unhappy voters backed her anyway.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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