Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective improper differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of improper are indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, and unseemly. While all these words mean "not conforming to what is accepted as right, fitting, or in good taste," 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

When would indecorous be a good substitute for improper?

The synonyms indecorous and improper are sometimes interchangeable, but indecorous suggests a violation of accepted standards of good manners.

indecorous behavior

When is indelicate a more appropriate choice than improper?

The words indelicate and improper can be used in similar contexts, but indelicate implies a lack of modesty or of tact or of refined perception of feeling.

indelicate expressions for bodily functions

In what contexts can unbecoming take the place of improper?

While in some cases nearly identical to improper, unbecoming suggests behavior or language that does not suit one's character or status.

conduct unbecoming to an officer

When could unseemly be used to replace improper?

The words unseemly and improper are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, unseemly adds a suggestion of special inappropriateness to a situation or an offensiveness to good taste.

remarried with unseemly haste

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 improper An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 33-year-old man from St. Charles was arrested on charges of loud excessive noise caused by a muffler or lack thereof, improper lighting and driving under the influence of alcohol at 11:11 p.m. Feb. 15 at Raymond Drive and West Diehl Road. Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025 The Department of the Treasury’s Earned Income Tax Credit made up $22 billion of the improper payments. Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2025 Those include limiting the number of participants to 50,000 enrollees, adding work requirements, capping program participation at three years and cutting down on improper payment rates. Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2025 Connecticut amassed its pension debt across seven decades of improper savings, ranging from 1939 through 2010, according to a 2015 study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
  • Doing so discourages inappropriate behavior with clear sanctions that are duly communicated to the entire organization, while good behavior is rewarded.
    Susana Sierra, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Some praised the Hitch star for looking happy and returning to music, while others said that the onstage moment of attempting to kiss Martinez was inappropriate.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Polar research and expeditions were considered inherently masculine endeavors unsuitable for women during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, which began in 1897 and lasted until 1922.
    Nicole Edenedo, AFAR Media, 3 Mar. 2025
  • When the wildly unsuitable secretary of defense announces there will be 8% cuts in our military budget for each of the next five years, some weapons programs will be reduced or cancelled to meet that goal.
    Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fixes an issue where certain text hints in combat were incorrect when using a Friend's Support character Trailblazer.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • But a New York Times analysis of the $55 billion in savings claimed by DOGE found that the math is marred with accounting errors, incorrect assumptions, outdated data and other mistakes.
    Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Notoriously indifferent to anyone on the wrong side of the 25-54 demo, advertisers eat this stuff up with a spork.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Recently, inflation has been moving in the wrong direction.
    Alain Sherter, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Kash Patel is set to become the latest of President Donald Trump‘s unfit and unqualified loyalists confirmed for a leadership role in Washington, with Senate Republicans ready and willing to install the QAnon promoter and 2020 election denier as the next director of the FBI.
    Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Her letter, which was followed up by a social media post, was withering in making the case that Kennedy was unfit for the role and personal in detailing his struggles with drug addiction.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The Penguins listed Bunting as a healthy scratch early this season because coaches were unhappy with his effort in games and practices.
    Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Independent distributors are unhappy with the growing percentage of royalty payments for their artists that are too low to be worth processing.
    Bill Rosenblatt, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

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