Skip to main content
inappropriate

inappropriate

354 3.7
Not right for a situation or event
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪnəˈproʊpriət/
translation icon : inapropiado
  • Sorry, that movie was completely inappropriate for children.
  • inappropriate behavior
  • inappropriate practice
  • appropriate or inappropriate

But the point is she felt that's inappropriate behavior in a relationship.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • It's inappropriate for you to ask me personal questions.

  • More than once, the director of the archive lectured me about the inappropriate nature of the topic.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Do you now have an inappropriate relationship with a family friend?

  • And they will say and do inappropriate things all the time.

  • People are going to think and say inappropriate things.

  • In some cultures, it is inappropriate to question the authority of a health care provider.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Both were widowed, and it was felt by family members that the relationship was inappropriate.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Yet when the teacher does not speak out, the silence can unintentionally allow inappropriate actions to continue.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Their adherence was fine, but inappropriate dosing can do that.

  • It's inappropriate for you to ask me personal questions.

Synonyms

wrong
vsinappropriate
1.0

Not suitable for a particular time or purpose

focuses on general poor fit rather than moral fault or blame
unacceptable
vsinappropriate
256 3.2

Not good enough or not allowed by rules

is the broader phrase for being a poor fit, not formal rejection
improper
vsinappropriate
100 4.1

Not suitable according to normal rules or standards

is about poor fit for a situation rather than rule breach
unfit
vsinappropriate
51 3.7

Not suitable for a particular job or use

is about poor fit in context rather than low quality or inability
not acceptable
vsinappropriate
44 2.2

Not allowed by rules and not good enough for standards

stresses simple poor fit without focusing on rules or permission
unseemly
vsinappropriate
33 7.8

Not proper or polite for a situation

covers plain poor fit, not necessarily indecency or offense
objectionable
vsinappropriate
31 6.7

Causing people to feel offended or want to protest

focuses on a poor fit rather than the strong emotional reaction caused
uncalled for
vsinappropriate
21 5.1

Not appropriate or needed for the situation

relates to being a poor fit but stresses lack of necessity
unsuitable
vsinappropriate
20 2.6

Not right for a person, place, or purpose

is the basic label expressing a poor fit in a context
unbecoming
vsinappropriate
  • Formal
15 6.7

Not suitable for a situation or for what people expect

relates to general poor fit rather than only social propriety
undesired
vsinappropriate
2 3.8

Not wanted or welcome

expresses poor fit rather than merely being unwanted by people
ill-chosen
vsinappropriate
1 6.3

Not right for the situation and likely to seem awkward

is about general poor fit rather than a bad selection of words
inapposite
vsinappropriate
1 9.9

Not suitable for a situation and therefore not important to the topic

focuses on lack of fit rather than being out of place
out of keeping
vsinappropriate
1 7.5

Not matching the style or mood of a situation

focuses on a poor fit itself rather than mismatch with surroundings
infelicitous
vsinappropriate
  • Formal
1 9.1

Unsuitable for a situation that makes people feel uncomfortable

means poor fit without implying awkwardness or causing sadness
exceptionable
vsinappropriate
  • Formal
1 9.1

Likely to offend or upset people

is about simple poor fit rather than provoking objection
unbefitting
vsinappropriate
  • Formal
7.2

Not suitable for a person or situation

is the general term for things not fit in a situation
unfitting
vsinappropriate
5.6

Not suitable for a certain situation or purpose

is used more widely for general poor fit in a situation
uncomely
vsinappropriate
  • Archaic
9.6

Not proper in dress or behavior in polite company

applies more generally to a poor fit beyond polite social judgment

Antonyms

962 3.5

Right for a particular situation, person, or purpose

596 2.2

Suitable and correct for a particular situation or use

172 1.8

Right for a certain purpose, person, or situation

Compounds

A remark that is rude, hurtful, or not suitable for the situation

How Appropriate

ideal
203 4.2
appropriate
962 3.5
acceptable
477 2.5
unsuitable
20 2.6
inappropriate
354 3.7
unacceptable
256 3.2

Surface Forms

inappropriate positive
inappropriater comparative
inappropriatest superlative

Morphology

inappropriate = appropriate (transparent) = in + appropriate

This is a standard negative-prefix formation meaning simply 'not appropriate'.

Etymology

Inappropriate is made of the small prefix in- meaning 'not' and appropriate, which comes from a root meaning 'proper' and is the same root as the word proper. So, inappropriate means 'not proper' or 'not suitable' for a situation.