as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
an improper use of slang in a formal piece of writing
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of improper
Also check into the warranty and the return policy since improper care can void the warranty.
—
Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
The restaurant was using improper procedures when using time as a public health control.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Most of the improper payments in 2022 were due to unintentional mistakes by state workers or households, rather than intentional fraud, according to an analysis of the data by the left-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 9 May 2025
And while ear piercing is generally safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists several adverse outcomes to improper piercing and piercing care, such as infection at the piercing site, bloodstream infections, allergic reactions, cuts and tears, and keloid formation.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Kathleen Felton, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 May 2025
The restaurant was using improper procedures when using time as a public health control.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2025
Most of the improper payments in 2022 were due to unintentional mistakes by state workers or households, rather than intentional fraud, according to an analysis of the data by the left-leaning Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
—Stephen Fowler, NPR, 9 May 2025
And while ear piercing is generally safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) lists several adverse outcomes to improper piercing and piercing care, such as infection at the piercing site, bloodstream infections, allergic reactions, cuts and tears, and keloid formation.
—Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
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But lingering beneath the surface of his success, Favre had a pattern of inappropriate behavior off the field, including a high-profile tabloid scandal that erupted in 2010, and most recently, the largest case of public fraud in Mississippi’s history.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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As the rebel Jen (Michelle Williams) comes to town, and Pacey (Joshua Jackson) carries on an inappropriate relationship with his teacher, that turns out to be the case. 23.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Any useless, toxic or otherwise unsuitable man can become a child’s legal father, without being subject to the thorough checks that these women must face.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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Advertisement Advertisement Some insects are adapting to changing climates by moving to regions that might have previously been unsuitable.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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If a project fails because the decision to go ahead with the project turns out to be incorrect (which should happen frequently), that failure should not bear on the manager responsible for the project.—
Tim Koller,
Time,
20 May 2025
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The court had to issue a letter stating the interpretation was incorrect.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Ship was heading the wrong direction The training ship arrived at New York's Pier 17 and was open to the public to visit from May 13 to 17, according to the Mexican Consulate in New York.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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In short, public school teachers believe K-12 education is on the wrong track.—
Bruno V. Manno,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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That said, to be displaced is to be object, material, pushed across borders, overloaded into boats, stuffed into unfit vehicles, herded over mountains by smugglers.—
Tim Brinkhof,
JSTOR Daily,
21 May 2025
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When Eleanor gives birth to a baby named Lily and—in Ruth’s eyes—proves unfit to care for her, Ruth decides to raise the girl alone.—
Sophia Stewart,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Netflix In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Ortega revealed that the massive success following 'Wednesday' actually left her unhappy.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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Reports suggested that Daltrey was unhappy with Starkey’s playing on the night, and a number of songs were cut short.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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