INAPPROPRIATE Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

inappropriate

adjective

ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət

Definition of inappropriate

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

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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 inappropriate In some countries, such as Japan, tipping can even be viewed as awkward, inappropriate, and unnecessary as patrons eat, pay the bill, and simply leave. — Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Some commenters felt the post was cringeworthy and inappropriate. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026 Lula has argued the designation is inappropriate because the groups seek profit rather than political change. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 The service Upscale and informal—anything else would feel inappropriate here. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for inappropriate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inappropriate

Adjective

Planting fruit trees in unsuitable spots may not just produce a poor harvest but could spell disaster for the tree.

— Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2026
Together, these cues may have signaled that conditions were becoming unsuitable.

— Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

People who participated—most of whom asked for anonymity, fearing reprisals—rejected the suggestion that there was anything improper about the practice.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 July 2026
The federal government removed some improper enrollments, but the price increase appears to have played a major role.

— Aparna Soni, Fortune, 14 July 2026

Definition of improper

Adjective

Inspectors also noticed that cold foods were being held at incorrect temperatures, according to the report.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
In the suit, they are referred to as a guidance counselor and principal, which the school district’s attorneys claim is incorrect.

— Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Under rules brought in for the World Cup, the reviewable decisions and incidents now include mistaken identity when the referee shows a yellow or red card but clearly penalises the wrong player of either team.

— Stuart James, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

Last year, researchers at Harvard University and Baylor University discovered that, on average, young adults aged between 18 to 29 are deeply unhappy.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 July 2026
Licensed cannabis operators in states that have legalized marijuana tend to support the ban—they’re unhappy that hemp intoxicants face far less regulation and taxation than their products.

— Peter Su, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

The idea is to learn the structure that matters for prediction and planning without spending huge amounts of compute modeling irrelevant visual detail.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026
Paramount had argued that the requests were irrelevant to the antitrust issues the state is investigating.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 11 July 2026