improperly

adverb

as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 improperly The judge also found that the government improperly bypassed the usual process for adopting federal regulations. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 In their original complaint, prosecutors claimed that, between 2017 and 2024, Smith used an army of bots to improperly stream his music millions of times. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 Some of the footage was played during a dayslong suppression hearing last December, when the defense argued evidence recovered during the arrest should be suppressed because Mangione’s backpack was improperly searched. — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 Fresh hummus stored in a deep container was improperly cooled, measuring at 63°F on the cook’s line. — Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Schmitt was trying to suggest Tuesday that Smith improperly colluded with Fulton County Dist. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 More than 1,000 harmful substances have been found in e-waste or produced when it is improperly recycled, including lead, mercury, cadmium and other toxic chemicals, according to the World Health Organization. — Aniruddha Ghosal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026 The new policy on Flock cameras comes months after the Police Department disclosed that an internal audit of its ALPR camera network showed it was improperly accessed by outside agencies over the past year. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 When an attacker moves laterally through a network undetected, investigators often examine whether monitoring capabilities were absent, improperly configured or ignored after generating alerts. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
  1. incorrectly
  2. mistakenly
  3. erroneously
  4. inappropriately
Adverb
  • The story also incorrectly said Animal Care Services had requested $8 million for interim improvements.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Last week, Rams coach Sean McVay said the NFL privately acknowledged that officials incorrectly called defensive pass interference against Los Angeles in the closing moments of its Week 3 loss to Denver, nullifying an interception.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of incorrectly
Adverb
  • The Salvadoran national's case became a focal point in the immigration debate after he was mistakenly deported to his home country last year.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
  • With the help of general manager Mari Matsumoto, Wilson came up with the Corn to be Wild cocktail after mistakenly purchasing too much frozen corn.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistakenly
Adverb
  • The officer was responding to a mental health crisis call, involving what was erroneously reported as fireworks but turned out to be gunfire, authorities said.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The certification for this device was granted erroneously and has been set aside by the FCC and removed from our public database.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of erroneously
Adverb
  • No comparison should be made to the insurer's initial offer — which can be inappropriately low for a complex surgical procedure — and the award given to the physician.
    — Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The complaint also says that Merrill advisors inappropriately steered clients toward low-interest Bank of America accounts, resulting in substantial financial losses.
    — Chase Jordan October 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of inappropriately

Browse Nearby Words

improper
improperly
improperness
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Cite this Entry

“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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