inappropriate
adjective
in·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət 
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
The movie's subject matter is inappropriate for small children.
inappropriately
adverb
dressed inappropriately
inappropriateness
noun
the inappropriateness of his comments
Examples of inappropriate in a Sentence
We won't tolerate such inappropriate behavior.
Her informal manner seemed wholly inappropriate to the occasion.
Recent Examples on the Web
The dashboard may identify patients who may have started on a new medication that interacts with a DOAC, patients who have had a change in their kidney function or who have been prescribed an inappropriate dose.
—
David Cox, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Other emails from the latest crop of the Epstein files include other inappropriate comments about Beatrice and Eugenie.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Employee investigated for workplace misconduct Baltimore County fire officials confirmed in December that an employee was under investigation for inappropriate misconduct at the workplace.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Several people with deep expertise on Nevada OSHA’s process and rules have described what happened as a complete departure from OSHA procedure and as inappropriate.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
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David Cox, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Other emails from the latest crop of the Epstein files include other inappropriate comments about Beatrice and Eugenie.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
Employee investigated for workplace misconduct Baltimore County fire officials confirmed in December that an employee was under investigation for inappropriate misconduct at the workplace.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Several people with deep expertise on Nevada OSHA’s process and rules have described what happened as a complete departure from OSHA procedure and as inappropriate.
—Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
Cite this Entry
“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inappropriate. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inappropriate
adjective
in·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
inappropriately
adverb
inappropriateness
noun
Medical Definition
inappropriate
adjective
in·ap·pro·pri·ate
ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət
: abnormal
inappropriate urinary sodium excretion—K. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy
K. G. Barry & J. P. MalloyLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
