as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way
the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly
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Recent Examples of improperly
In August 2024, federal prosecutors accused JMG Investments and Schwartz of improperly receiving two PPP loans in December 2020 and not repaying the duplicate loan as required, according to the DOJ.
—
Andrea Klick, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Police further said that the gun used in the shooting had been improperly stored, ultimately enabling the child to obtain it, per the outlets.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The agency conceded that confidential data had been improperly accessed and shared and emphasized that the disclosures violated strict federal laws governing tax return confidentiality.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Smart & Safe Florida’s circuit-court lawsuit alleged that Byrd’s office improperly directed invalidating petitions collected by out-of-state petition gatherers during the period when the injunction was in effect.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
In 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, was killed in custody after being arrested by the morality police for improperly wearing her hijab.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
For much of the last year, staffers who were initially part of the Department of Government Efficiency effort improperly accessed and shared sensitive personal data on millions of Americans.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Still frozen chicken was improperly thawing in containers.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In 2024, Thompson’s father pleaded guilty to improperly storing a handgun that authorities said Thompson used in the shootings, CBS 17 and ABC 11 reported at the time.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Andrea Klick, Daily News, 27 Jan. 2026
Police further said that the gun used in the shooting had been improperly stored, ultimately enabling the child to obtain it, per the outlets.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 26 Jan. 2026
The agency conceded that confidential data had been improperly accessed and shared and emphasized that the disclosures violated strict federal laws governing tax return confidentiality.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Smart & Safe Florida’s circuit-court lawsuit alleged that Byrd’s office improperly directed invalidating petitions collected by out-of-state petition gatherers during the period when the injunction was in effect.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2026
In 2022, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, was killed in custody after being arrested by the morality police for improperly wearing her hijab.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
For much of the last year, staffers who were initially part of the Department of Government Efficiency effort improperly accessed and shared sensitive personal data on millions of Americans.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 23 Jan. 2026
Still frozen chicken was improperly thawing in containers.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
updated January 23, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026
In 2024, Thompson’s father pleaded guilty to improperly storing a handgun that authorities said Thompson used in the shootings, CBS 17 and ABC 11 reported at the time.
—Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
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On the conference call, a reporter incorrectly posited that Payton told the media that Nix had told him he’d had three previous ankle surgeries.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
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Due to incorrect information provided to The Bee, an earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the age and city of residence of the woman who died in the crash and misstated the age of the other driver.—
Darrell Smith,
Sacbee.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Investigators believe the helicopter pilots mistakenly thought the American Airlines jet was one of several other planes lining up to land on Runway 1, and did not have an accurate understanding of its flight path.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
27 Jan. 2026
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YouTubers have criticized the platform’s approach to AI moderation, with several large creators claiming to have mistakenly been demonetized and banned, their channels only reinstated after public outcry.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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In 2009, Zagorac’s arrest record was expunged erroneously from the FBI National Crime Information Center computer, according to the Post-Tribune, after defense attorney Christopher Schmidgall filed a petition for the expungement.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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Providers need guidance and a process for recovering erroneously withheld amounts from the provider or the IRS.—
Carrie Brandon Elliot,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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In December 2024, Lively filed her complaint with the California Civil Rights Department claiming Baldoni behaved inappropriately on set and coordinated a PR campaign with a crisis firm in an attempt to destroy her reputation.—
Mary Whitfill Roeloffs,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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And one detail everyone is fixating on is Brooklyn Beckham’s claim that his mom, Victoria Beckham, danced inappropriately with him during his wedding to Nicola Peltz.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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