as in unsuitable
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
a bathing suit is inappropriate dress for strolling the streets of this seaside village
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in wrongness
the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting
I cannot even begin to describe the inappropriateness of such language for the dinner table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfitness
the quality or state of not being socially proper
the inappropriateness of belching in a restaurant should have been apparent even to you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of inappropriate
Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Investigators later determined that Finley — who worked as both a guidance counselor and volleyball coach at McDowell High School — had engaged in inappropriate communications with the student, according to WLOS, FOX Carolina and McDowell News.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Lach said the district has no current information of any inappropriate behavior between Buetikofer and District 86 students, but noted the district is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.
—Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Leadership was abusive, inappropriate and demeaning, employees told The Denver Post.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
Adjective
The diary writing nurtures an internal life by giving oxygen to what previously had been ephemeral, easily self-mocked as inappropriate, or troubling.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Investigators later determined that Finley — who worked as both a guidance counselor and volleyball coach at McDowell High School — had engaged in inappropriate communications with the student, according to WLOS, FOX Carolina and McDowell News.
—Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Lach said the district has no current information of any inappropriate behavior between Buetikofer and District 86 students, but noted the district is cooperating with authorities as the investigation continues.
—Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Leadership was abusive, inappropriate and demeaning, employees told The Denver Post.
—Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inappropriate
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
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
Noun
-
The real issue is Alvero’s unfitness for his office.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Maduko’s resignation comes after former chancellor Terrence Cheng was removed from his position and transferred into a new role, following a 2024 audit that showed improper spending on meals, alcohol and chauffeur services.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier this month, Democratic Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig said her team is tracking 20 medical cases with improper care within ICE detention.—
Beret Leone,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That, however, is nothing now compared to the far larger incorrectness of the rulers of a significant number of the most powerful nations on earth.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Their sly and winning songwriting deftly embraced more than a wink-wink, nudge-nudge of shrewd parody and unabashed social incorrectness.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The author even suggested that William had issues with his uncle even before that, but that the disrespect for Kate was his breaking point.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Government officials scolded young people for the signs of disrespect.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Intelligence is basically anything with a pretty clear definition between the set of correct and incorrect answers—think tasks in coding, mathematics, physics, and even some tasks in accounting, law, or medicine.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The market said the confusion came from incorrect AI search results on apps like Google and Instagram.—
Rashad Alexander,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
No, the Heat would never go there, a flat-out, from-the-start commitment to lottery odds no matter the unseemliness of it all.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inappropriate. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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