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the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of improperly
Byard studies a smartphone showing his year-old wishes for a new coach, those expressed to a reporter late last season, including disappointment that far too many missteps had been improperly dealt with.
—
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Martinez's attorney sought a hearing to determine whether federal authorities improperly destroyed evidence in the cranial case against her by allowing the SUV to be taken back to Maine.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
On Monday, a state audit accused Martinez of improperly spending nearly $300,000, mostly from jail commissary funds.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The Justice Department didn’t identify any evidence of drug companies improperly promoting drugs, and the government’s own statements show the true goal was to end gender-affirming care, Chung wrote.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Smart & Safe Florida last week filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court alleging state elections officials had improperly directed the invalidation of about 72,000 signatures.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Monmouth County Judge Marc Lemieux rejected their claims about the DNA tool, STRmix, but agreed with the defense on one point — that authorities improperly seized Paul’s home security system.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
According to a report by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), three in four fluorescent lamps are improperly disposed of, thus releasing mercury into the environment.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
The protests were the largest since a 2022 nationwide uprising sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Martinez's attorney sought a hearing to determine whether federal authorities improperly destroyed evidence in the cranial case against her by allowing the SUV to be taken back to Maine.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
On Monday, a state audit accused Martinez of improperly spending nearly $300,000, mostly from jail commissary funds.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The Justice Department didn’t identify any evidence of drug companies improperly promoting drugs, and the government’s own statements show the true goal was to end gender-affirming care, Chung wrote.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Smart & Safe Florida last week filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court alleging state elections officials had improperly directed the invalidation of about 72,000 signatures.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Monmouth County Judge Marc Lemieux rejected their claims about the DNA tool, STRmix, but agreed with the defense on one point — that authorities improperly seized Paul’s home security system.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
According to a report by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), three in four fluorescent lamps are improperly disposed of, thus releasing mercury into the environment.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
The protests were the largest since a 2022 nationwide uprising sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
-
Employees incorrectly used latex gloves for food preparation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
The recall was initiated because products containing wheat were incorrectly placed into packaging that doesn't list the presence of wheat, according to the FDA.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adverb
-
Many adults mistakenly assume that Medicare will pay for long-term care services when, in fact, Medicaid is the primary funding source.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Trump has also mistakenly claimed that China and Russia are currently testing nuclear weapons and directed the incorrect agency — the Department of War — to resume testing rather than the Department of Energy, which oversees the nation’s nuclear warheads, Sanders-Zakre said.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
And huge doses of vitamin C (once erroneously thought to stave off colds) can stomach upset, diarrhoea and, in extreme cases, kidney stones.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
2 Jan. 2026
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That website erroneously shows the department spent $304,920.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
12 Dec. 2025
Adverb
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The passenger claimed Riley noticed the kids were watching, but continued to act inappropriately, at one point allegedly appearing to perform oral sex.—
Brian Niemietz,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
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During the previous school year, the boy strangled and choked a teacher and pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground, the lawsuit claims.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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