inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət 

: 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

Synonyms

• amiss
• graceless
• improper
• inapposite
• inapt
• incongruous
• incorrect
• indecorous
• inept
• infelicitous
• malapropos
• perverse
• unapt
• unbecoming
• unfit
• unhappy
• unseemly
• unsuitable
• untoward
• wrong

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

Refuse to let anyone talk you into something inappropriate or expensive. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 11 Nov. 2024

With nowhere else to turn, Gregory calls his dad for honest advice, hoping to find one person who agrees that fighting a student’s parent would be inappropriate. —Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024

According to the lawsuit, the first suspension came after employees reported 11 inappropriate statements D’Souza allegedly made to subordinates, some using race as a descriptive term. —Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 4 Nov. 2024

One, both fans were removed from the game for their wildly inappropriate interference. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət 

: not appropriate : unsuitable

inappropriate behavior

inappropriately adverb

inappropriateness noun

Medical Definition

inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌin-ə-ˈprō-prē-ət 

: abnormal

inappropriate urinary sodium excretion

—K. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy