1
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
that comparison is completely inapposite; there are no parallels between the two books at all
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in irrelevant
not having anything to do with the matter at hand
a speech laden with inapposite anecdotes and unfunny jokes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in wrongness
the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting
the inappositeness of the description quickly became clear
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inapposite
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
The Supreme Court indeed raised Flood and explained the cases were, at best, inapposite.
—Marc Edelman, Forbes, 21 June 2021
Then there is Beinart’s inapposite comparison between this president’s rhetoric on these themes and the rhetoric of President George W. Bush.
—Daniel Foster, The Atlantic, 10 July 2017
Adjective
That principle is inapposite when a limited liability company has only one member.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
The Supreme Court indeed raised Flood and explained the cases were, at best, inapposite.
—Marc Edelman, Forbes, 21 June 2021
Then there is Beinart’s inapposite comparison between this president’s rhetoric on these themes and the rhetoric of President George W. Bush.
—Daniel Foster, The Atlantic, 10 July 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inapposite
Adjective
-
Some neighbors greeted news of the project’s demise with relief, saying the location — a residential area with large swaths of undeveloped land — was inappropriate for a commercial venture.—
Alex Wigglesworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The bid documents show the company has settled at least 56 suits that alleged medical negligence or inappropriate medical care.—
Nichole Manna,
ProPublica,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So to be honest, that’s pretty irrelevant.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
-
At this point, though, long-term success may be considered irrelevant within the department.—
Quinta Jurecic,
The Atlantic,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Perfection alienates; wrongness invites.—
Andrey Mir,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In the 1940s and 50s, Pym’s spinsters had occupied a status of respectable wrongness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The team found that several 2D materials praised for their electronic properties may become unsuitable once they are built into real devices.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Lara’s pre-operative test results were abnormal, and revealed clear signs of keratoconus, making LASIK unsuitable.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Where a creditor is challenging a trust, § 277 of the Restatement is inapplicable and instead § 280 applies.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Here are the kicking motion rules, which the NHL deemed inapplicable given their determination that Hellebuyck propelled the puck into his own net.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
The real issue is Alvero’s unfitness for his office.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Disease is more likely on plants weakened by stress, poor nutrition, sunburn, pests or improper pruning.—
Rita Perwich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 May 2026
-
Agents need data to function, and silos both limit utility and elevate the risk of improper access.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Wallace and her collaborators scrambled to get into the water; the whale was swimming in the wrong direction, toward some docks.—
Jessica Camille Aguirre,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
-
What most people get wrong is conflating the theme of the exhibition with the dress code for the evening.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inapposite.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inapposite. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
