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 The lawsuits from New York Times, from every major media outlet, disregarding just stealing things from my perspective and ingesting is totally inappropriate. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Sep. 2026 Garlin was accused by members of the cast and crew of inappropriate verbal conduct, unwanted physical contact, including hugging and touching, and behavior that some employees described as creating an uncomfortable work environment. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Trump repeatedly patted Xi on the back, a gesture considered highly inappropriate in Chinese political culture. — Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026 Other inmates did not report seeing anything inappropriate between Cruz and the woman, the warrant affidavit said. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inappropriate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inappropriate

Adjective

Like other foods, bird seed is perishable and will spoil if it’s kept in unsuitable conditions.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026
Medical supplies and fuel are running short after key supply routes between Mokha and Taiz were largely cut off, forcing convoys onto mountainous roads unsuitable for large trucks.

— Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

Similarly, the spokesperson said OpenAI models used publicly available developer keys to read demographic and economic Census Bureau data, but that the company found no evidence of improper access to Census accounts.

— Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
On June 29, a New Haven Superior Court jury found Stokes guilty of murder, criminal attempt to commit improper sale of a firearm, conspiracy to commit improper sale of a firearm and carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of improper

Adjective

The appropriate level of human involvement depends on financial exposure, customer impact, regulatory requirements, security implications, reversibility and the consequences of an incorrect decision.

— Jayasri Ranganathan, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
But predictions that the Islamic Republic would collapse proved incorrect.

— Ali Vaez, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Premiering in 2004 on Fox, The Swan cast women who self-reported as unhappy about their appearances in a grueling competition to see who could pull off the most profound physical transformation.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026
More Florida customers dissatisfied Count Brandon Reich among Florida’s unhappy property insurance customers.

— Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

In the 1960s, military leaders discovered that nearly one-third of young men were unfit for service because of conditions rooted in childhood poverty, poor health care, and limited educational opportunities.

— Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
Machado’s team said that the opposition leader, who is now based in Panama, attempted to return to Venezuela by sea, but the company that chartered her boat canceled the trip hours before leaving, alleging its vessel was unfit for navigation.

— Clyburn Saint John, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

Over the past half century, Americans have grown accustomed to regional conflicts fought by specialized professional troops, in which the support of Congress or the American public seems more or less irrelevant.

— Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Lamont dismissed Stefanowski’s private-sector record at GE, UBS and the payday lender, DFC Global, as irrelevant, at least compared to a public record.

— Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026