improper

adjective

im·​prop·​er (ˌ)im-ˈprä-pər How to pronounce improper (audio)
: not proper: such as
a
: not in accord with propriety, modesty, good manners, or good taste
improper language
b
: not suited to the circumstances, design, or end
improper medicine
c
: not regularly or normally formed or not properly so called
d
: not in accord with fact, truth, or right procedure : incorrect
improper inference
improperly adverb
improperness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for improper

indecorous, improper, unseemly, unbecoming, indelicate mean not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste.

indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

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

unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

Examples of improper in a Sentence

The doctor gave him an improper diagnosis. They claim to have evidence of improper police conduct. improper use of public land This is an improper diet for a growing teenager. It would be improper for me to ask such a favor of her. He made some improper remarks.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, over 65,000 home fires are the result of improper heating equipment usage in the United States. Graeme Taskerud, The Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2025 Lawyers for Harry, 40, the younger son of King Charles III, will set out to show that the News Group executives concealed and sought to destroy evidence of hacking and other improper practices. Mark Landler, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025 Food was stored in an improper manner, according to the report. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025 Durbin’s letter indicates Patel may have made an improper disclosure of classified information in the process, noting the Justice Department reportedly received a complaint from an intelligence agency about one of his disclosures. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for improper 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French impropre, from Latin improprius, from in- + proprius proper

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of improper was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near improper

Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improper. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

improper

adjective
im·​prop·​er (ˈ)im-ˈpräp-ər How to pronounce improper (audio)
: not proper, right, or suitable
improperly adverb

Legal Definition

improper

adjective
im·​prop·​er
: not proper: as
a
: not in accord with correct procedure
an improper venue
b
: wrongful
specifically : in violation of a constitution
the denial of trial by jury was held improper
improperly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

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