as in inappropriate
showing poor judgment especially in personal relationships or social situations
an ill-advised criticism of the boss at a company function
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ill-advised
Plenty of unconventional solutions have sprung up as a result, from the ill-advised and frightening (please don’t scoop out your period) to the innocuous and accessible—like seed cycling, or, more recently, the period steak theory.
—
Audrey Bruno, SELF, 19 Feb. 2026
But others criticized Jackson, calling his action ill-timed and ill-advised.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
They’re further complicated by the fact that the United States’ infrastructure has glaring weak points, making the simplest solution of hauling more weight ill-advised at best.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 4 Feb. 2026
To be sure, some of these divestitures and breakups follow deals that seem to have been ill-advised from the start.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ill-advised
Audrey Bruno, SELF, 19 Feb. 2026
But others criticized Jackson, calling his action ill-timed and ill-advised.
—Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
They’re further complicated by the fact that the United States’ infrastructure has glaring weak points, making the simplest solution of hauling more weight ill-advised at best.
—Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 4 Feb. 2026
To be sure, some of these divestitures and breakups follow deals that seem to have been ill-advised from the start.
—Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ill-advised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-advised
Adjective
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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said at a news conference that Hill’s conduct was inappropriate but ultimately harmless.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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On April 12, former congressman Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior ranging from sending lewd, unwanted messages to drugging, raping and choking them.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the murder convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk’s improper comments to jurors, prejudicial evidence and failures at trial.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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How to Wash Sweat-Wicking Shirts These fabrics are designed to pull moisture away from the body, but improper washing can cause buildup, trapping bacteria and odors.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Additional charges included negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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To be fair, those imprudent claims were made without the benefit of seeing this evidence.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The frame was actually lifted, so that the piping from the turbo to the engine could be technically feasible, even if inadvisable in real life.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
19 Mar. 2026
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The reality is that reconciling a relationship is not just difficult, but sometimes inadvisable or dangerous, especially in cases involving harm or trauma.—
Richard Balkin,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These injudicious, blunt-force tariffs do get undone almost as quickly as they are slapped on, thank heavens.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
25 Jan. 2026
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So maybe use the feelings aroused by your sister-in-law’s thoughtless, certainly injudicious, possibly naughty remark as an opportunity to rise above.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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With runners on first and second and one away, new reliever Tim Hill then made the unwise decision to throw to third after fielding a comebacker.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2026
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That would be unwise, given its steady sales and good fit in its market.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Most big comedy shows at the fest had a strict no cellphones policy, Seinfeld was content with just reminding us that our friends are all sick of our stupid cellphone videos.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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Don’t eat stupid food, don’t do music in the background.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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After an almost year-long investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office charged Pino with three misdemeanor counts of careless boating resulting in death.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
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Dahlin earned another interference penalty later, and Zucker’s roughing penalty was careless.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ill-advised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-advised. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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