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the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly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
The government’s theory echoes earlier criticism from the Justice Department’s 2019 Inspector General report, which found that Comey retained and shared some of those memos improperly, though that report did not recommend criminal prosecution at the time.
—
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Thermal runaway, or self-heating, can occur without warning in lithium batteries as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
In 2022, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office investigated whether Rosen Gonzalez had improperly used her position with the city to try to aid the campaign of a commission candidate.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Spencer and an associate are accused of improperly acquiring a property for $8,000 and attempting to sell it for $245,000.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Inside the kitchen’s upright three-door cooler, raw chicken was improperly stored above a poppyseed mixture and raw eggs were stored above soup.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The Delaware Court of Chancery ruled early last year that the 2018 pay plan had been improperly granted by the Tesla board and must be rescinded.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
During oral arguments in a complicated case challenging the drawing of a second majority-Black district in Louisiana, the court’s conservative majority suggested race may have improperly predominated as a factor in its creation.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
Serve the public, not a party The Hatch Act was passed during the Great Depression, after years of concern that federal agencies were being used improperly as political machines.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Thermal runaway, or self-heating, can occur without warning in lithium batteries as a result of various factors, including if the battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
—Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
In 2022, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office investigated whether Rosen Gonzalez had improperly used her position with the city to try to aid the campaign of a commission candidate.
—Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025
Spencer and an associate are accused of improperly acquiring a property for $8,000 and attempting to sell it for $245,000.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Inside the kitchen’s upright three-door cooler, raw chicken was improperly stored above a poppyseed mixture and raw eggs were stored above soup.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
The Delaware Court of Chancery ruled early last year that the 2018 pay plan had been improperly granted by the Tesla board and must be rescinded.
—Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
During oral arguments in a complicated case challenging the drawing of a second majority-Black district in Louisiana, the court’s conservative majority suggested race may have improperly predominated as a factor in its creation.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 15 Oct. 2025
Serve the public, not a party The Hatch Act was passed during the Great Depression, after years of concern that federal agencies were being used improperly as political machines.
—Stephanie A, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
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Sepsis is a condition where the body responds incorrectly to an infection, causing damage to the organs, according to the Mayo Clinic.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
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Previously, multiple scientific studies performed by medical professionals revealed that bystanders were hesitant to perform CPR due to fear of doing it incorrectly or discomfort with mouth-to-mouth breathing.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Govt mistakenly letting people out instead of deporting.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
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Representatives for Fowler Middle School and the Tigard County Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment or confirmation as to how exactly the cleaner was mistakenly put on the pretzels.—
Emily Rella,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Property owners who believe they have erroneously been charged for trash service can fill out a new protest form on the city’s website, Bauer said.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Oct. 2025
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The wind was gusty, though not as strong as expected based on erroneously exaggerated weather forecasts.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adverb
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Worker Laura, who chose to remain anonymous, described how one manager would touch her inappropriately at work.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
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Sheriff’s officials said that Jaekel also asked one of the children for nude pictures of herself, and each of the four victims witnessed Jaekel inappropriately touching the other female family members.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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