IMPROPER Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

improper

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈprä-pər

Definition of improper

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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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 An outside investigation commissioned by the board found no evidence of improper conduct by Hill but identified concerns about leadership and district operations. — Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 Electrical issues — like faulty wiring, overloaded power strips, and improper extension cord usage — are the leading cause of fatal fires so far this year. — Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026 Similarly, the spokesperson said OpenAI models used publicly available developer keys to read demographic and economic Census Bureau data, but that the company found no evidence of improper access to Census accounts. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026 Apple denies the allegations in the lawsuit and denies doing anything improper or unlawful, but has agreed to pay $250 million into a settlement fund. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for improper

Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper

Adjective

On the police's Facebook account on Tuesday, officers criticized inappropriate comments and warned that sharing or joking about such incidents can worsen the impact on any victim.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
In addition, pharmaceutical advertising or education aimed at doctors may also increase inappropriate prescribing, probably increases the number of prescriptions written, and may increase the costs of prescriptions.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.

— Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.

— Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

What prevents an incorrect action from propagating into the physical process?

— Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The sports media rarely treats athletes who espouse liberal or progressive political views as problematic, even when those views are provocative, divisive, or factually incorrect.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Its argument is that insurers have been pricing wildfire risk the wrong way, by looking backward at statistics and sorting homes by zip code.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
The trailer begins as Ziegler’s Mae frantically asks family friend Benny, played by a sleepy Rob Lowe, for help after her big mistake — kissing the wrong brother between Graham Phillips’ Andrew and Elias Kacavas’ Theo.

— Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of wrong

Adjective

Separately, the Independent Football Regulator has the powers to force club owners to sell and can withhold a license to operate if they are deemed unfit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
In the meantime, a judge repeatedly deemed James mentally unfit for criminal proceedings.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfit

Browse Nearby Words

impromptus

improper

improperly

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“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of improper

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