as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
an improper use of slang in a formal piece of writing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wrongness
the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting
the improperness of such behavior at a religious ceremony should have been achingly obvious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of improper
Nbc News, NBC news, 12 June 2025
The lack of penalties has been missing in Buddie’s mind and much of it has to do with the NCAA losing countless legal battles, which led the organization stepping away from enforcing things like improper benefits and stepping aside for the CSC to handle it.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2025
The man, Lawrence Ray, argued that Hughes’ testimony about coercive control was improper.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 11 June 2025
And so the improper payment rate, the numbers in EITC is around $60 or so billion a year in refunds, but about $20 billion of that is designated as improper payment based on the audit activity, which is actually under 1 percent.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Adjective
Subramanian didn't seem to agree with Combs' attorneys on its relevance, saying that another person's lawsuit would not constitute an improper motive for testifying.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 12 June 2025
The lack of penalties has been missing in Buddie’s mind and much of it has to do with the NCAA losing countless legal battles, which led the organization stepping away from enforcing things like improper benefits and stepping aside for the CSC to handle it.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2025
The man, Lawrence Ray, argued that Hughes’ testimony about coercive control was improper.
—Gina Barton, USA Today, 11 June 2025
And so the improper payment rate, the numbers in EITC is around $60 or so billion a year in refunds, but about $20 billion of that is designated as improper payment based on the audit activity, which is actually under 1 percent.
—Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
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Walking the Talk as a Role Model Too many leaders assume organizational rules don't apply to them, creating double standards and rationalizing inappropriate behavior.—
Joseph Folkman,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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There was always an inappropriate something happening.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Washing Windows Cleaning windows works best in good lighting to achieve a streak-free finish, making nighttime an unsuitable time for the task.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 June 2025
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Directed by Joseph Kahn, the clip features guest appearances from Marlon Lundgren Garcia and MrBeast, who play unsuitable prospects for the singer.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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Consider a car engine: Removing deposits and sludge (inaccurate, outdated, irrelevant and incorrect information) reduces friction, while clean oil (large language models and AI) ensures smooth performance.—
Savinay Berry,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
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Belief in other scientifically incorrect claims can be extremely dangerous.—
Mark Boslough,
Scientific American,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Using the wrong cleaners, such as ammonia and glass cleaner, can cause permanent streaks and damage.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 June 2025
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Effective leaders recognize that different doesn’t mean wrong.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Adjective
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These board members have betrayed the public trust and shown themselves to be unfit to govern the district.—
Jay Steiger,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 June 2025
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Brushing up on English has taken on new urgency for future and current truck drivers after President Donald Trump issued an executive order saying truckers who don’t read and speak the language proficiently would be considered unfit for service.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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This gives the creditor an additional target to pursue and make very unhappy which can indirectly put pressure on the debtor to pay the judgment.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Circulation increased and the publication won two Pulitzer Prizes, but the owner, conservative Harry Guggenheim, was unhappy with the paper’s shift to the left, and he and Moyers were divided over the Vietnam War and the 1968 presidential election.—
Carmel Dagan,
Variety,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.
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