improper
adjective
im·prop·er
(ˌ)im-ˈprä-pər 
: not proper: such as
a
: not in accord with propriety, modesty, good manners, or good taste
improper language
b
: not suited to the circumstances, design, or end
improper medicine
c
: not regularly or normally formed or not properly so called
d
: not in accord with fact, truth, or right procedure : incorrect
improper inference
improperly
adverb
improperness
noun
Examples of improper in a Sentence
The doctor gave him an improper diagnosis.
They claim to have evidence of improper police conduct.
improper use of public land
This is an improper diet for a growing teenager.
It would be improper for me to ask such a favor of her.
He made some improper remarks.
Recent Examples on the Web
An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt:
A 29-year-old man from Lisle was arrested on charges of improper lane usage, speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol at 12:27 a.m. July 1 at East Chicago Avenue and South Naper Boulevard.
—
Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
While these tools can help employers screen more job candidates and help identify relevant experience, human resources and legal experts warn improper training and implementation of hiring technologies can proliferate biases.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Urban Corps did not respond to questions about Sierra’s claim in his resignation letter that Bernstein had sought to conceal Kennedy’s improper use of nonprofit workers to remake his personal property.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Stay vigilant Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2025
While these tools can help employers screen more job candidates and help identify relevant experience, human resources and legal experts warn improper training and implementation of hiring technologies can proliferate biases.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 July 2025
Urban Corps did not respond to questions about Sierra’s claim in his resignation letter that Bernstein had sought to conceal Kennedy’s improper use of nonprofit workers to remake his personal property.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Stay vigilant Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents last year were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
—Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Cite this Entry
“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improper. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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