as in incorrectly
in a mistaken or inappropriate way
the manufacturer's warranty is no longer valid if the appliance is used improperly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Byard studies a smartphone showing his year-old wishes for a new coach, those expressed to a reporter late last season, including disappointment that far too many missteps had been improperly dealt with.
—
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Martinez's attorney sought a hearing to determine whether federal authorities improperly destroyed evidence in the cranial case against her by allowing the SUV to be taken back to Maine.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
On Monday, a state audit accused Martinez of improperly spending nearly $300,000, mostly from jail commissary funds.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
The Justice Department didn’t identify any evidence of drug companies improperly promoting drugs, and the government’s own statements show the true goal was to end gender-affirming care, Chung wrote.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
Smart & Safe Florida last week filed a lawsuit in Leon County circuit court alleging state elections officials had improperly directed the invalidation of about 72,000 signatures.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026
Monmouth County Judge Marc Lemieux rejected their claims about the DNA tool, STRmix, but agreed with the defense on one point — that authorities improperly seized Paul’s home security system.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026
According to a report by the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), three in four fluorescent lamps are improperly disposed of, thus releasing mercury into the environment.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
The protests were the largest since a 2022 nationwide uprising sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly.
—Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for improperly
Adverb
-
Well, even though air-drying clothes on a drying rack has many benefits (especially for the planet), experts agree that line-drying incorrectly can start a big mold problem within and behind your walls.—
-
The last major round of protests came in 2022, spurred by the death in police custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the theocratic government's forces for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly.—
Adverb
-
The next day, in an email, Wynn appears to explain, blaming a dollar figure for teachers’ benefits that was mistakenly counted twice.—
-
It is thought the United States was notified before its first use in late 2024, to ensure it was not mistakenly assessed to be a nuclear launch.—
Adverb
-
And huge doses of vitamin C (once erroneously thought to stave off colds) can stomach upset, diarrhoea and, in extreme cases, kidney stones.—
-
That website erroneously shows the department spent $304,920.—
Adverb
-
The passenger claimed Riley noticed the kids were watching, but continued to act inappropriately, at one point allegedly appearing to perform oral sex.—
-
During the previous school year, the boy strangled and choked a teacher and pulled up a female classmate’s dress and touched her inappropriately on the school playground, the lawsuit claims.—
Cite this Entry
“Improperly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/improperly. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share