IMPROPRIETY Synonyms: 129 Similar and Opposite Words

impropriety

noun

ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē

Definition of impropriety

as in unfitness

the quality or state of not being socially proper the impropriety of the song that the campers sang for the visitors was embarrassing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in mistake

a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark such improprieties as asking people how much money they make

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wrongness

the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting I see no impropriety in referring to certain anatomical parts by their standard names

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 impropriety Edwards has denied any impropriety in his intraoffice relationships. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 As reported exclusively at Fox News Digital, the Justice Department has launched a grand jury investigation into Singham for alleged money laundering and other financial improprieties. — Asra Q. Nomani , Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 Hegseth denied any impropriety but the furor prompted congressional scrutiny of how and why the military was pursuing the campaign. — Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 During Monday’s meeting trustees forcefully pushed back on the suggestion that there were governance improprieties. — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impropriety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impropriety

Noun

Not just shame but gross unfitness for serving in a role at a state university.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Musk attempted to color Altman as a uniquely unsuitable supervisor of this technology, but this invariably invited further scrutiny into his own abject unfitness for the role.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026

Definition of unfitness

Noun

In Kundassery’s view, the Democratic Party had made a critical mistake in the first few months of 2025.

— Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
To keep errors in check, each graph is shown to multiple volunteers, and their answers are combined so that individual mistakes average out, according to the project's website.

— Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mistake

Noun

But for less intimate relationships, the perception of wrongness was the key predictor of negative feelings and avoidance.

— Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
Hidden, almost, in the center of the exhibition are a few of Mendieta’s early paintings from the late 1960s and early 1970s, which have a jarring feeling of wrongness about them.

— Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of wrongness

Noun

Adam Hamilton Hamilton, the Democratic nominee, has characterized the war as a major foreign policy blunder.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
Holding her tongue is not Kate’s forte in general, and the severity of Todd’s avalanche of blunders in their meeting with the British foreign secretary tests the outer limits of her ability.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of blunder

Noun

Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s ongoing satirical series at first appalled many viewers with its resolute political incorrectness and penchant for four-letter words from the mouths of babes, and that was nowhere more evident than in Cartman himself.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
That, however, is nothing now compared to the far larger incorrectness of the rulers of a significant number of the most powerful nations on earth.

— John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026

Definition of incorrectness

Noun

Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express frustration and disappointment over the littering and disrespect shown by visitors to national parks, particularly Yellowstone.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrespect

Noun

Rogers’ indiscretion was later exploited by online blackmail scammers, ultimately leading to his downfall.

— Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
All of these cases have provided something of a template for missteps and indiscretions by people who work in sports media.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of indiscretion

Browse Nearby Words

improprieties

impropriety

improv

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Style

“Impropriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impropriety. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of impropriety

noun

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