infelicitous

adjective

ˌin-fi-ˈli-sə-təs How to pronounce infelicitous (audio)
Definition of infelicitousnext
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

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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 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
  1. inappropriate
  2. unsuitable
  3. improper
  4. incorrect
  5. wrong
  6. unhappy
  7. unfit
Adjective
  • The home, along Norris Avenue in the northern Arden-Arcade area, has sparked opposition from neighbors and local officials who say its location near multiple schools and in the middle of a residential neighborhood is inappropriate.
    — Carmela Karcher, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Hochman said Flores simply could have taken notes on the inappropriate comments and turned them in to superiors or the independent inspector general, which strikes me as either sweetly naive or disingenuous.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • When channels are created with unsuitable blades, angles, or placement, transplanted hair may grow in an unnatural direction or produce an overly uniform appearance.
    — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Websites often attract unsuitable clients due to ineffective copy, hindering business growth.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsuitable
Adjective
  • Issues include elevated pH levels,and improper signage, filters and ladders.
    — Abby Dodge, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • According to the Graves County Sheriff's Office, Flores, an employee at Graves County Middle School, is accused of having an improper relationship with a minor student in the district.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of improper
Adjective
  • The fact that the scoreboard was incorrect, Guccione told a pool reporter after the game, does not play a part in the ruling.
    — Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The counterweight to that allure is emotional intelligence, the instinct to notice when the numbers are accurate, but the feeling is incorrect.
    — Olatunde Badmus, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of incorrect
Adjective
  • The agent that flagged a bad clause in June stops flagging it in July, and nobody did anything wrong, and nothing broke.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Using the wrong type of cleaning product for your tub’s material can result in scratches, discoloration, or chips.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Some Democratic board members noted that voters unhappy with Lukas’ performance can express their dissatisfaction in the 2028 election.
    — Alicia Fabbre, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • When the motorcycle crew was unhappy with the drugs, Hinman and Beausoleil got into a confrontation.
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of unhappy
Adjective
  • His reelection campaign has been rocked by the allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and her senator dad, who says Miller is unfit to serve in Congress.
    — Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Indeed, the representatives of that Government assert that the people of Hawaii are unfit for popular government and frankly avow that they can be best ruled by arbitrary or despotic power.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unfit

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infects
infelicitous
infelicity
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Cite this Entry

“Infelicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infelicitous. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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