impropriety

noun

ˌim-p(r)ə-ˈprī-ə-tē How to pronounce impropriety (audio)
Definition of improprietynext
1
as in unfitness
the quality or state of not being socially proper the impropriety of the song that the campers sang for the visitors was embarrassing

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2
as in mistake
a socially improper or unsuitable act or remark such improprieties as asking people how much money they make

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3
as in wrongness
the quality or state of being unsuitable or unfitting I see no impropriety in referring to certain anatomical parts by their standard names

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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 impropriety Edwards has denied any impropriety in his intraoffice relationships. — Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 As reported exclusively at Fox News Digital, the Justice Department has launched a grand jury investigation into Singham for alleged money laundering and other financial improprieties. — Asra Q. Nomani , Solly Boussidan, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2026 Hegseth denied any impropriety but the furor prompted congressional scrutiny of how and why the military was pursuing the campaign. — Marie-Rose Sheinerman, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026 During Monday’s meeting trustees forcefully pushed back on the suggestion that there were governance improprieties. — Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for impropriety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impropriety
  1. unfitness
  2. mistake
  3. wrongness
  4. inappropriateness
  5. blunder
  6. incorrectness
  7. disrespect
  8. indiscretion
Noun
  • Not just shame but gross unfitness for serving in a role at a state university.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Musk attempted to color Altman as a uniquely unsuitable supervisor of this technology, but this invariably invited further scrutiny into his own abject unfitness for the role.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
Definition of unfitness
Noun
  • But elevating the whims of progressive activists and government bureaucrats above the wisdom of the marketplace has proven a costly mistake and undermined consumer choice.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Guys will make a mistake that will lead to busted assignments, penalties, big plays for the opponents, if not a touchdown.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of mistake
Noun
  • But for less intimate relationships, the perception of wrongness was the key predictor of negative feelings and avoidance.
    — Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Hidden, almost, in the center of the exhibition are a few of Mendieta’s early paintings from the late 1960s and early 1970s, which have a jarring feeling of wrongness about them.
    — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of wrongness
Noun
  • This is expressed just as her 14-year-old appears to see that her earlier prediction about Carmella’s likelihood of inappropriateness had come true.
    — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of inappropriateness
Noun
  • However, due to the financial blunders of our prior ADs with Locks’ contract, getting rid of him has been almost impossible.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Oct. 2026
  • On the heels of a TikTok viral talent show blunder, Anjali and Maya are eager to embrace a new beginning and reinvent themselves with their newfound freedom on campus.
    — Brianna J. Heath, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of blunder
Noun
  • Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s ongoing satirical series at first appalled many viewers with its resolute political incorrectness and penchant for four-letter words from the mouths of babes, and that was nowhere more evident than in Cartman himself.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
  • That, however, is nothing now compared to the far larger incorrectness of the rulers of a significant number of the most powerful nations on earth.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of incorrectness
Noun
  • What readers are saying The comments express frustration and disappointment over the littering and disrespect shown by visitors to national parks, particularly Yellowstone.
    — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The board's vague message didn't point to specific administrators or specific instances of disrespect.
    — Aubrey Wright, IndyStar, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of disrespect
Noun
  • Rogers’ indiscretion was later exploited by online blackmail scammers, ultimately leading to his downfall.
    — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
  • All of these cases have provided something of a template for missteps and indiscretions by people who work in sports media.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of indiscretion

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improprieties
impropriety
improv
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Cite this Entry

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

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