as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way
the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 improperly
Meanwhile, five eateries received citations for health code violations including old food debris, a lack of hand soap and improperly cooled rice.
—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Once they’ve been received by customers, the company isn’t able to guarantee they haven’t been tampered with, opened, contaminated or improperly stored.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
He was also charged with improperly displaying a license plate, which was later dismissed.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
The hose to the mop sink faucet was found improperly connected, creating potential cross-contamination between mop water and potable water.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
In 2023, the FTC under President Joe Biden levied a $5 billion penalty against Facebook for improperly allowing third-party apps to access certain users’ information and deceptive policies related to facial recognition, among others.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
The White House cited allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, echoing claims from Esformes’ defense that prosecutors improperly invaded attorney-client privilege by reviewing documents seized in an FBI raid.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 30 Mar. 2026
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, is facing an ethics complaint filed by a conservative organization alleging her campaign improperly used $19,000 in funds for a psychiatrist.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The court documents also detail how the skull was stored and handled improperly, and that the coroner wasn't contacted until after law enforcement had already removed the skull from the scene.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
april 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Once they’ve been received by customers, the company isn’t able to guarantee they haven’t been tampered with, opened, contaminated or improperly stored.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
He was also charged with improperly displaying a license plate, which was later dismissed.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2026
The hose to the mop sink faucet was found improperly connected, creating potential cross-contamination between mop water and potable water.
—Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026
In 2023, the FTC under President Joe Biden levied a $5 billion penalty against Facebook for improperly allowing third-party apps to access certain users’ information and deceptive policies related to facial recognition, among others.
—Sasha Richie, Dallas Morning News, 30 Mar. 2026
The White House cited allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, echoing claims from Esformes’ defense that prosecutors improperly invaded attorney-client privilege by reviewing documents seized in an FBI raid.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 30 Mar. 2026
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, is facing an ethics complaint filed by a conservative organization alleging her campaign improperly used $19,000 in funds for a psychiatrist.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The court documents also detail how the skull was stored and handled improperly, and that the coroner wasn't contacted until after law enforcement had already removed the skull from the scene.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
-
An article published April 7 incorrectly attributed a statement to former KRON4 reporter Maureen Kelly.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The agency late last year also increased the number of citable violations from five — including fare evasion, eating or drinking onboard, smoking, or incorrectly using a discount ticket — to 25.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The Salvadoran national's case has become a focal point in the immigration debate after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last year.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The Salvadoran national’s case has become a flash point in immigration debates after he was mistakenly deported last year and forcibly brought back.—
Travis Loller,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
His attorney accused the child actors’ parents of seeking financial gain and erroneously blaming Busfield when the boys weren’t brought back for the final season of the show.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Notably, Google’s AI tool erroneously says YouGov’s points are worth a penny each.—
Kathy Kristof,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The documents indicate he was suspended for multiple weeks early in his career for things like excessive force, coming to work late, failure to report for duty and firing a gun inappropriately.—
Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The Pope has been criticized by sanctimonious warmongers for being inappropriately religious.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
