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 of inappropriate

• unsuitable
• improper
• incorrect
• wrong
• unhappy
• unfit
• irrelevant

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

Kennard, Smart fined Kennard and Smart were fined by the NBA for inappropriate conduct toward game officials, the league announced Monday, after the Lakers guards were involved in a postgame dust-up near midcourt on Sunday. —Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026

The state legislature in 2022 passed the Parental Rights in Education Act, meant to ensure that children were protected from being exposed to inappropriate content at a very young age. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

The third-party report sampled water from the drainage ditch, Cann stated, which is inappropriate for use by TCEQ for permitting decisions. —Arcelia Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 27 Apr. 2026

The presidents of Ohio State University and Cape Cod Community College stepped down after allegations of inappropriate relationships. —Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inappropriate

• appropriate

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