Synonyms of impropriety

impropriety

noun

ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē 

1

as in unfitness

the quality or state of not being socially proper

the impropriety of the song that the campers sang for the visitors was embarrassing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unfitness
• inappropriateness
• disrespect
• unseemliness
• incorrectness
• indecorum
• indecency
• coarseness
• vulgarity
• rudeness
• indiscretion
• indecorousness
• unbecomingness
• untowardness
• crudeness
• naughtiness
• imprudence
• indelicateness
• immodesty
• incivility
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• impudence
• insolence
• churlishness
• impoliteness
• ungraciousness
• impertinence
• indiscreetness
• discourteousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• propriety
• correctness
• decorum
• decency
• appropriateness
• suitability
• fitness
• rightness
• discretion
• prudence
• seemliness
• properness
• suitableness
• manners
• form
• etiquette
• consideration
• proprieties
• decorousness
• gentility
• graciousness
• thoughtfulness
• considerateness
• genteelness

2

as in mistake

a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark

such improprieties as asking people how much money they make

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mistake
• blunder
• indiscretion
• error
• solecism
• familiarity
• faux pas
• gaffe
• gaff
• discourtesy
• incivility
• offense
• miscue
• misstep
• oversight
• flub
• misstatement
• slipup
• lapse
• misjudgment
• goof
• fumble
• misunderstanding
• misconception
• misapprehension
• miscalculation
• stumble
• slip
• howler
• boner
• foul-up
• muff

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• formality
• gesture
• attention
• courtesy
• civility
• form
• manners
• pleasantry
• amenity
• mores
• proprieties

3

as in wrongness

the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting

I see no impropriety in referring to certain anatomical parts by their standard names

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wrongness
• incorrectness
• unfitness
• inappropriateness
• infelicity
• undesirability
• improperness
• inaptness
• irrelevance
• meaninglessness
• inadequacy
• inapplicability
• inadmissibility
• inexpediency
• pointlessness
• inadequateness
• inappositeness
• undesirableness
• unsatisfactoriness
• uselessness
• intolerability
• extraneousness
• senselessness
• inauspiciousness
• inexpedience
• unbecomingness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• propriety
• correctness
• appropriateness
• suitability
• fitness
• rightness
• felicity
• aptness
• seemliness
• properness
• relevance
• connection
• suitableness
• applicability
• bearing
• fittingness
• appositeness
• relevancy
• admissibility
• materiality
• felicitousness
• pertinence
• pointedness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of impropriety

During Monday’s meeting trustees forcefully pushed back on the suggestion that there were governance improprieties. — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026

Three departures and allegations of impropriety against four leaders of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system have eroded trust and raised questions about the system’s leadership going forward. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026

Organizers maintain that the events are entirely separate, and the same White House official rejected suggestions of impropriety. — Nik Popli, Time, 11 June 2026

The mere appearance of potential impropriety is what all judges are supposed to be avoiding, said David Weber, director of the sports law institute at the University of Oregon. — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 9 June 2026