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 Because measles can reduce the amount of vitamin A in the body, children who are already lacking it due to improper nutrition can be at higher risk for more severe complications, including death. Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025 Another prominent censure occurred in 2010, when Democratic Representative Charles Rangel of New York was censured for 11 ethics violations related to tax evasion and improper use of congressional resources. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 Like the House bill, its text has not yet been released. DEA hearings on the rescheduling proposal have been delayed by at least three months due to appeals from pro-reform witnesses claiming improper communications between the DEA and certain opponents. Dario Sabaghi, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 After reviewing body camera footage of the incident as part of its internal investigation, the department recommended that the officer receive a two-day suspension for the improper search allegation. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for improper
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improper
Adjective
  • Identify scenarios where human oversight is essential and prevent inappropriate AI autonomy over sensitive business areas.
    Brent Dykes, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The Calumet City Elementary District 155 Board recently censured one of its members, Lamarr Miller, after learning he previously was disciplined for inappropriate behavior with students.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the land presented a challenge: its marshy terrain was unsuitable for planting.
    Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Moscow has for months been seeking to weaponize Ukraine's democratic freeze, with Putin and his allies framing Zelenskyy as illegitimate and therefore unsuitable to take part in peace talks.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In housing, there are numerous examples of how incorrect data has led to adverse decisions affecting people’s lives.
    State Sen. James Maroney, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2025
  • But parents and activists say the numbers are incorrect since the campus consists of newer buildings, constructed decades after the school opened, and older buildings from 1957 that are used for storage, not instruction.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The question of the night is the choice between selling out their souls to the vapid American tourists at the Tropicana nightclub (bad) or singing for their own people on the wrong side of the tracks (good).
    Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2025
  • But Nicol isn’t wrong to think that the real entertainment is coming from inside the house, where the spry Gita may love nothing more than to be on camera.
    Stephen Saito, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Entering 2025, the club responded during the January transfer window by replacing players unfit for Fabregas' tactical system with ten new signings, including Maxence Caqueret (Lyon), Assane Diao (Real Betis) and Barcelona loanee Alex Valle.
    David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But both those cases were dismissed after he was found unfit to stand trial, said a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Rather than panic, consider that software developers are pretty unhappy with the status quo.
    Steve Rodda, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Recent polling also suggests that Americans are relatively unhappy with DOGE’s efforts.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 15 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Improper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improper. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on improper

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