inappropriate

adjective

in·​ap·​pro·​pri·​ate ˌi-nə-ˈprō-prē-ət How to pronounce inappropriate (audio)
Synonyms of inappropriate
: 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 of inappropriate

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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.
According to Plano police arrest records, four second-grade students have accused the 64-year-old teacher of inappropriate touching. — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026 On the bright side, training lowered the proportion of inappropriate delegation. — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2026 Jasmine Reed had been exchanging inappropriate messages with Chief Paul Noel, reports WBIR's Katie Inman. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Hochman said Flores simply could have taken notes on the inappropriate comments and turned them in to superiors or the independent inspector general, which strikes me as either sweetly naive or disingenuous. — Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for inappropriate

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Browse Nearby Words

inapproachable
inappropriate
inapt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inappropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inappropriate. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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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 excretion—K. G. Barry & J. P. Malloy

More from Merriam-Webster on inappropriate

Nglish: Translation of inappropriate for Spanish Speakers

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