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
In 2015, more than a dozen of Feldman’s emails were flagged as inappropriate during a sweeping internal investigation into racist and sexist messages by numerous officers, according to records obtained earlier this year by the Herald.
—
Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Coleman said one-third of her staff focuses on inappropriate relationships in schools.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inappropriate
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Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Coleman said one-third of her staff focuses on inappropriate relationships in schools.
—Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Finalists are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means, including, without limitation, offering prizes or other inducements to members of the public, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
—Tim McGovern, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
Catalina suffers from an unspecified mental disability, which Saavedra, who is not handicapped, performs in an arguably inappropriate register of fidgety hands and shifty-eyed glances.
—Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 16 May 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 22 May. 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
