impropriety
noun
im·pro·pri·e·ty
ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē 
plural improprieties
1
: an improper or indecorous act or remark
accused of financial improprieties
The judge recused herself to avoid the appearance of impropriety.
especially
: an unacceptable use of a word or of language
2
: the quality or state of being improper
shocked by the impropriety of their language
Examples of impropriety in a Sentence
He has a reputation for impropriety.
The judge excused herself from the case to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
She was shocked by the young man's impropriety.
She was shocked by the impropriety of his behavior.
He has been accused of financial improprieties.
Recent Examples on the Web
When Bloomberg reported last December that Epstein was offered an opportunity to invest in a Donna Summer Broadway show that Mottola was producing, Joanne Oriti, a senior executive at Mottola’s company, dismissed any suggestion of impropriety.
—
Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Swalwell was not accused of impropriety.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Both men accuse the other of impropriety in their 15 real estate transactions.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Some of the cases – which can involve allegations of misconduct by police or prosecutors or connections to current prosecutors and judges — have been kicked to outside judges and prosecutors because of conflicts or simply just the perception of a possible conflict or appearance of impropriety.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impropriety
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Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Swalwell was not accused of impropriety.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2026
Both men accuse the other of impropriety in their 15 real estate transactions.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Some of the cases – which can involve allegations of misconduct by police or prosecutors or connections to current prosecutors and judges — have been kicked to outside judges and prosecutors because of conflicts or simply just the perception of a possible conflict or appearance of impropriety.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impropriety
Cite this Entry
“Impropriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impropriety. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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