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 The Cantonese restaurant received a yellow placard from health inspectors for keeping food at an improper temperature and not properly cleaning food contact surfaces. Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025 The defendants repeatedly introduced inadmissible evidence, the judge wrote, related to issues including statements from outside groups about formula and NEC and improper expert opinions, among other things. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 In Social Security, for example, from 2015 through 2022, its IG found almost $72 billion in improper payments, representing roughly 1% of benefits paid out in that stretch, the AP notes. Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025 But the judge only cited evidence of improper terminations at the six agencies, declining to order the reinstatement of probationary workers at 16 other agencies cited by unions in a lawsuit challenging the layoffs. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
  • Mickey Rourke was removed from the Celebrity Big Brother UK house after further usage of inappropriate language.
    Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Lewin has insisted there was nothing inappropriate about this visit.
    Nick Tabor, Curbed, 11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Olivia Heller/The Hustle For-profit developers, for one thing, often find church and synagogue properties unsuitable for redevelopment.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Such glues and taped seams make Gore-tex jackets unsuitable for chemical recycling.
    Carlton Reid, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The Times' then-editorial page editor, James Bennet, who had inserted the incorrect claims into the passage, wrote an apology that was posted to the opinion section's social media account.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Specifically, the extension payment date for taxpayers who log into the IRS website is incorrect.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But even one in three Republicans said their cost of living was on the wrong track, according to the poll, which surveyed 4,306 U.S. adults nationwide between April 16 and April 21.
    Jason Lange, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • But the product labels gave away that something was wrong: Product of China, many of them read in Mandarin.
    Karen Yuan, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The injunction request stated the premises were unfit for occupancy and owners did not have a valid city business license.
    Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Just like an organization being certain that other players are unfit for the harsh glare of intense games in April.
    Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some 59% of voters are unhappy with how things are going in the country.
    Dana Blanton, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Particularly now that Americans are unhappy with the state of economy.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

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