INFELICITOUS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

infelicitous

adjective

ˌin-fi-ˈli-sə-təs

Definition of infelicitous

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation an infelicitous comment on the weight of the guest of honor at the banquet

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 infelicitous Listen to the tone of each, and for any buzz or hum or anything else infelicitous. — Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026 Notwithstanding infelicitous boasting, Trump is a man of his word who will scrupulously honor his oath of office. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2024 Even so, the impulse to nationalize the problem will have its own, infelicitous effects. — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Film-school student Haynes always imitates better directors — Fassbinder’s social melodrama, Joseph Losey’s studies of decadence (pilfering the infelicitous piano score from Losey’s The Go-Between, from 1971). — Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2024 Dallas American politics lately feels like an endless game of—pardon the infelicitous word—delegitimation. — Barton Swaim, wsj.com, 18 Apr. 2023 The New York bill would implement a concept called extended producer responsibility, an incredibly infelicitous recycling term. — Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2021 Despite the infelicitous coincidence of the election date with Easter — which would normally have been expected to depress turnout — turnout actually ticked slightly upward from recent contests, to 67 percent. — Amy Erica Smith, Vox, 2 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infelicitous

Adjective

The siblings-in-law addressed comments from Alli McBee suggesting their relationship had been inappropriate.

— Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Students also need to learn when AI use is inappropriate, when a primary source has to be read directly and when a judgment is too consequential to delegate.

— Ray Ravaglia, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

Critics of Medicaid expansion argued that increasing the number of people who could get health insurance through the program would increase fraud and improper enrollment.

— Ben Zdencanovic, The Conversation, 3 Aug. 2026
The conservative Paragon Health Institute’s president, Brian Blase, wrote in a recent webpost that the HHS report’s conclusion on the scope of improper enrollment is likely an undercount.

— Julie Appleby, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of improper

Adjective

Artificial intelligence can worsen this by confidently directing attention, causing users to stop searching prematurely if AI's initial answer is plausible but incorrect.

— Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Incorrect Brew Temperature or Pressure While rather technical, Mynatt notes that using incorrect brew temperatures or pressures can have a significant impact on your espresso and latte.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Seneca, the Roman philosopher, argued that people kept getting the message of Homer’s epic poems wrong.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
One person was killed and two others were critically injured when a wrong-way driver crashed into several other vehicles on Friday evening on the Dan Ryan Expressway on the South Side of Chicago.

— Todd Feurer, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

So this became, like, a collective therapy session for everyone unhappy with the government.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Their heated exchange on the field lasted more than two minutes, with Jones unhappy that Szoboszlai had given the captain’s armband to Tsimikas rather than him when the Hungary midfielder was substituted 13 minutes from time.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

West Germany 2-1 Netherlands A tournament that was dominated by security concerns in the early stages, and then slightly ruined later on by a sustained period of rainy weather which left the pitches unfit for quality football.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 23 July 2026
Within the context of the ongoing debate, the comment suggested the financial tie could make the company unfit to own the parking meter system.

— Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Definition of unfit

Browse Nearby Words

infects

infelicitous

infelicity

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Infelicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infelicitous. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of infelicitous

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes