imprecise

adjective

ˌim-pri-ˈsīs How to pronounce imprecise (audio)
Definition of imprecisenext
as in inaccurate
not precisely correct 3.14 is an imprecise approximation of the value of pi

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 imprecise The previous name, polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is imprecise and confusing to patients, families and physicians. — Melanie Cree, The Conversation, 29 May 2026 With all these features and a unique design that eliminates all the rattling and imprecise grips of conventional wrenches, this tool could find frequent use in your workshop. — New Atlas, 18 May 2026 County elections officials explained that the activists were relying on imprecise data. — Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026 The large-scale, deterministic behavior of physical systems naturally becomes imprecise and unpredictable, dissolving the divide between the classical and quantum realms. — Quanta Magazine, 29 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for imprecise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imprecise
  1. inaccurate
  2. approximate
Adjective
  • Travelers can place too much trust in a confident but inaccurate answer.
    — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Viral posts outlining ways to find AI tool hacks are now commonplace, but this also means an increase in factually inaccurate claims that are seen by millions of people.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of inaccurate
Adjective
  • Waiting from age 62 until 70 to start receiving Social Security retirement benefits provides an approximate 76% total benefit boost as well as roughly 76% more of every annual cost-of-living adjustment, Mahaney writes in the research.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
  • These are approximate figures; rents differ across different halls.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of approximate

Browse Nearby Words

imprecations
imprecise
imprecisely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imprecise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imprecise. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All