Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective improper differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of improper are indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," improper applies to a broader range of transgressions of rules not only of social behavior but of ethical practice or logical procedure or prescribed method.

improper use of campaign contributions

When would indecorous be a good substitute for improper?

The synonyms indecorous and improper are sometimes interchangeable, but indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When is indelicate a more appropriate choice than improper?

The words indelicate and improper can be used in similar contexts, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of improper?

While in some cases nearly identical to improper, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When could unseemly be used to replace improper?

The words unseemly and improper are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

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 improper The inspector also noticed dirty equipment and improper food cooling methods. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025 In 2019, Leonard and his associates, primarily his uncle Dennis Robertson, allegedly made improper appeals to teams during the small forward's free agency. Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025 In that appeal, prosecutors are asking the Supreme Court to give them permission to appeal the order for a new trial, which prosecutors contend was improper. Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025 However, there’s one critical aspect that most startups tend to overlook—the high rate of failure due to improper data governance. Jagadish Gokavarapu, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
  • Production on the star's prior film, Being Mortal, was suspended by Searchlight Pictures in 2022 after a staffer filed a complaint against actor Bill Murray, alleging inappropriate behavior.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • While Roblox has filters and moderation, kids can still be exposed to inappropriate language, scams, or unsafe conversations.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The concern expressed is that people are turning to AI for mental health advice and do not realize that (presumably) AI is unsuitable for that purpose.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The drastic drop in performance from the 2022 season points to the idea that the current generation of cars is unsuitable for the Briton.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • This approach is unreliable because the proxy materials, like volcanic rock, might have been changed by geological processes or created long after the eggs were laid, resulting in incorrect age estimates.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Poor labor management can also result in longer wait times, incorrect orders and ultimately negative reviews, directly impacting revenue.
    Jeff Kiesel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Parasite The first non-English language film to win a Best Picture Oscar, Bong Joon-ho's Parasite centers on the Kims, who live on the wrong side of the tracks in Seoul, South Korea.
    Emy LaCroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Joveljic stepped up and placed the penalty kick into his right-hand corner, while goalkeeper Brad Stuver dove the wrong way.
    Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lee would sometimes visit Anderson at the Highland Chateau health and rehabilitation center in Highland Park, where she had been relocated with some objection after her Surrey Avenue property was deemed unfit for human habitation.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Detroit RUNDetroit, 1948 Division St Suite 105, collects old shoes for Zaman International, who will reporpose gently used pairs or recycle unfit shoes, according to RUNDetroit's Instagram.
    Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • My research team works hard to keep the email addresses up to date, but executives keep changing their addresses to avoid having to deal with unhappy customers.
    Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But few seemed to leave unhappy.
    Jonathan Hawkins, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!