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the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly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 jury heard some testimony about the effect Steven’s abduction had on his older brother, but the appeal argued that further testimony about that issue was improperly excluded by the court.
—
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
The weapon was also handled improperly.
—Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
When the effluent isn’t treated or is improperly stored, the chemicals can seep into groundwater and waterways, contaminating aquifers and rivers.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Since taking office, the mayor has mostly quieted his calls for a rent freeze, as many in the real estate industry have accused him of improperly seeking to influence the independent panel.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
The whistleblower claims that the museum improperly moved funds between various accounts in order to meet severe cash crunches.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Resilience Healthcare, the owner of the hospital, filed its own lawsuit alleging that Ramco improperly tried to evict Resilience from the facilities.
—Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia last year, but the charges were dismissed on the grounds that Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor who pursued the indictment, was improperly appointed to the role.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Their rapid growth has also raised concerns over whether traders with privileged information, such as politicians, could improperly profit from world events.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 4 May 2026
The weapon was also handled improperly.
—Katie Mather, PEOPLE, 30 Apr. 2026
When the effluent isn’t treated or is improperly stored, the chemicals can seep into groundwater and waterways, contaminating aquifers and rivers.
—Abraham Nunbogu, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
Since taking office, the mayor has mostly quieted his calls for a rent freeze, as many in the real estate industry have accused him of improperly seeking to influence the independent panel.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
The whistleblower claims that the museum improperly moved funds between various accounts in order to meet severe cash crunches.
—Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Resilience Healthcare, the owner of the hospital, filed its own lawsuit alleging that Ramco improperly tried to evict Resilience from the facilities.
—Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
James Comey was indicted by a federal grand jury in Virginia last year, but the charges were dismissed on the grounds that Lindsey Halligan, the prosecutor who pursued the indictment, was improperly appointed to the role.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Their rapid growth has also raised concerns over whether traders with privileged information, such as politicians, could improperly profit from world events.
—Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
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Because every experience a child has during their early years helps create new neural connections, wiring the brain for all future learning and connecting, encounters with AI slop may literally wire the brain incorrectly.—
Dana Suskind,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
It is being framed incorrectly.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Like most, Gore mistakenly credited it to Gandhi.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Brown has also accused the narcotics unit that mistakenly targeted him of a pattern of misconduct, which allegedly includes the wrongful arrest of another man during the same operation.—
Sheetal Banchariya,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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An earlier version of this story erroneously stated which brewery won gold in the West Coast-style IPA category.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That forecast, Braun said, erroneously based on tariff impacts, has changed for the better.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled Monday that Thao and her three co-defendants failed to prove government authorities acted inappropriately or hid damning details about their star witness while building their sprawling corruption case in the first half of 2024.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Guadalupe Mercado-Guerra, from Mexico, reportedly touched a minor inappropriately multiple times in Travis County, Texas, near the city of Austin.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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