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
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 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
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
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
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
Adjective
-
Perhaps the owner’s unexpected absence was an indication that the rumors about my imminent demise were wrong and that things were not so certain.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
After a week where everything that could have gone wrong did and the noise surrounding the club threatened to swallow the team whole, the Red Sox finally broke their four-game slide in grand fashion and got to enjoy a nice, drama-free win.—
Mac Cerullo,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Alex Cora was clearly unhappy towards the end.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
There were thousands of unhappy Stagecoach festivalgoers on Saturday night, as the approximately 75,000-80,000 guests were forced to evacuate due to high winds.—
Emily Longeretta,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump—fixated on securing his legacy with a ballroom and a triumphal arch—appears increasingly erratic, unfocused, and unfit for the job assigned to him.—
John Whitehead,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
If venue personnel deem any person to be a threat, or otherwise unfit, in their sole discretion, he or she will not be permitted access and shall forfeit the prize.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
An irrelevant incident in isolation.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That made Legacy a business success well before its actual launch and ensured that any subsequent long-term player interest would be at least somewhat financially irrelevant to the companies involved.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inappropriate. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
