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the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly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
An employee was observed improperly washing their hands by dunking their hands in soapy dish washing water and then drying them off.
—
Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Too often, the immersive art form is reduced to its most popular IP and improperly translated for audiences who may or may not appreciate the original’s language and culture.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
The complaint also alleged Baggs improperly delegated authority, failed to follow statutory requirements and engaged in a pattern of inappropriate workplace behavior.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
And Cherfilus-McCormick has been charged by federal prosecutors with improperly using millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funds in connection with her campaign.
—Caitlin Huey-Burns, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
In the complaint, Resilience alleges that Ramco, which owns the hospital property, improperly tried to evict Resilience from the West Suburban and Weiss Memorial Hospital facilities.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, the Justice Department substantially reduced the role of its Public Integrity Section, which had been responsible for making sure the department’s inquiries weren’t improperly influenced by politics.
—Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2026
When washed improperly, knitted fabrics can permanently lose their shape due to shrinking, stretching, and pilling.
—Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
In fact, improperly using your garbage disposal can lead to stubborn clogs, dull blades, and plumbing emergencies.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Too often, the immersive art form is reduced to its most popular IP and improperly translated for audiences who may or may not appreciate the original’s language and culture.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
The complaint also alleged Baggs improperly delegated authority, failed to follow statutory requirements and engaged in a pattern of inappropriate workplace behavior.
—Diamond Vences, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
And Cherfilus-McCormick has been charged by federal prosecutors with improperly using millions of dollars in federal pandemic relief funds in connection with her campaign.
—Caitlin Huey-Burns, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
In the complaint, Resilience alleges that Ramco, which owns the hospital property, improperly tried to evict Resilience from the West Suburban and Weiss Memorial Hospital facilities.
—Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, the Justice Department substantially reduced the role of its Public Integrity Section, which had been responsible for making sure the department’s inquiries weren’t improperly influenced by politics.
—Doug Bock Clark, ProPublica, 13 Apr. 2026
When washed improperly, knitted fabrics can permanently lose their shape due to shrinking, stretching, and pilling.
—Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026
In fact, improperly using your garbage disposal can lead to stubborn clogs, dull blades, and plumbing emergencies.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
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April 23, 2026An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Tilson Thomas was survived by his husband, Joshua Robison.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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Weeks before Jason gushed over Kylie on Tuesday's panel, the Not Gonna Lie host hilariously revealed that the former NFL star spells one of their daughter's names incorrectly.—
Natasha Dye,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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In an update, Denver police said the incident started when an older man mistakenly drove onto the RTD train tracks toward the station.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
19 Apr. 2026
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In July 2024, the state’s high court unanimously ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and determined a lower court mistakenly decided that the legislature did not violate residents’ constitutional rights.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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That forecast, Braun said, erroneously based on tariff impacts, has changed for the better.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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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
Adverb
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The board’s responsibilities were diminished in 2017, after news reports revealed questionable financial practices and an audit found board members inappropriately intervened in the agency’s daily operations.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Her office confirmed the program was funded by the city, but said the nonprofit was using the funds inappropriately.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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