as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way
the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of improperly
The trial court risked prejudicing the jury by improperly admitting evidence about Mead Johnson’s finances, including its revenues, profits, and executive compensation, the appeals court said.
—
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Miami Beach was sued in December by a developer who claims the city improperly rejected a Live Local project.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Separately, Ford is also recalling 36,046 Bronco vehicles with model years 2022 to 2026 because the fender flares may be improperly secured and can fall off, creating a hazard for drivers, the NHTSA said.
—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The lawsuit also alleges Sumstad attempted to have a traffic citation fixed for a friend and improperly contacted a potential witness before Pope interviewed them as part of an internal affairs investigation.
—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
In 1918, a neighboring property sale recorded inaccurate boundaries that improperly absorbed the cemetery into an adjacent parcel — the first of decades of land transfers that gradually left the burial ground isolated and inaccessible.
—
Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Neal said an officer who uses the information improperly can be criminally charged with official misconduct.
—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Julio Osario Santos, 51, faces charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, negligent pedestrian, improperly parking on a highway, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and operating under suspension, according to Connecticut State Police.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Uthmeier does deserve credit on other consumer issues, notably involving hospital pricing, artificial intelligence safety and investigating CVS Health over whether its pharmacy benefit manager affiliate harms consumers by improperly favoring CVS drug stores.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 June 2026
David Hilzenrath,
USA Today,
2 July 2026
Miami Beach was sued in December by a developer who claims the city improperly rejected a Live Local project.
—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2026
Separately, Ford is also recalling 36,046 Bronco vehicles with model years 2022 to 2026 because the fender flares may be improperly secured and can fall off, creating a hazard for drivers, the NHTSA said.
—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
30 June 2026
The lawsuit also alleges Sumstad attempted to have a traffic citation fixed for a friend and improperly contacted a potential witness before Pope interviewed them as part of an internal affairs investigation.
—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
30 June 2026
In 1918, a neighboring property sale recorded inaccurate boundaries that improperly absorbed the cemetery into an adjacent parcel — the first of decades of land transfers that gradually left the burial ground isolated and inaccessible.
—
Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
Neal said an officer who uses the information improperly can be criminally charged with official misconduct.
—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Julio Osario Santos, 51, faces charges of operating a motor vehicle under the influence, negligent pedestrian, improperly parking on a highway, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without insurance and operating under suspension, according to Connecticut State Police.
—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Uthmeier does deserve credit on other consumer issues, notably involving hospital pricing, artificial intelligence safety and investigating CVS Health over whether its pharmacy benefit manager affiliate harms consumers by improperly favoring CVS drug stores.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
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An earlier version of this story incorrectly described ongoing changes at Nashville international Airport.
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Kennedy said at a House hearing that month that the Biden administration had incorrectly flagged the peptides as posing safety risks.
Adverb
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But the hospital has not revealed the results of its investigation and declined to answer questions from NBC News concerning whether the doctor who mistakenly pronounced the boy dead remains on staff.
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Founders often mismanage their crucial first sales hire, mistakenly seeking candidates suited for large corporations.
Adverb
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That’s the word that NPR Editor in Chief Thomas Evans used to describe why, today, the outlet erroneously published a report by the veteran Supreme Court reporter Nina Totenberg that Justice Samuel Alito had retired.
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Verstappen's crash at the final pair of corners brought out yellow flags, which Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli erroneously thought were double-waved yellow flags and aborted his lap.
Adverb
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Vought’s moves also raise the risk of corruption and outside groups inappropriately influencing funding decisions.
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By contrast, the three male actors who appear in major supporting roles—along with Colin, there’s Lindon as the doctor and Louis Garrel as Maxine’s cinematographer and, ultimately, lover—are all veterans whose iconic presences make their small roles feel unusually, even inappropriately, prominent.
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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