inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
The movie's subject matter is inappropriate for small children.
inappropriately adverb
dressed inappropriately
inappropriateness noun
the inappropriateness of his comments

Examples of inappropriate in a Sentence

We won't tolerate such inappropriate behavior. Her informal manner seemed wholly inappropriate to the occasion.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The defense also highlighted that specific allegations about inappropriate touching weren’t made until late November 2019 during the investigation. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024 This shift would enable regulators to identify and address issues promptly–whether inappropriate coding patterns or emerging care delivery challenges – through gradual, annual adjustments rather than dramatic overhauls. Rajeev Ronanki, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 According to a probable cause affidavit, the FBI was contacted by the mother of a 12-year-old girl in Waukesha County, Wis., on April 13 regarding an inappropriate conversation between her daughter and an unknown male. Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 10 Dec. 2024 He was later caught sending inappropriate photos to a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina and eventually sentenced to around a year and a half behind bars for the incident. Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inappropriate 

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inappropriate was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near inappropriate

Cite this Entry

“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inappropriate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

inappropriate

adjective
in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: not appropriate : unsuitable
inappropriate behavior
inappropriately adverb
inappropriateness noun

Medical Definition

inappropriate

adjective
in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
: abnormal
inappropriate urinary sodium excretionK. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy

More from Merriam-Webster on inappropriate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!