INFELICITOUS Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

infelicitous

adjective

ˌin-fi-ˈli-sə-təs

Definition of infelicitous

as in inappropriate

not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation an infelicitous comment on the weight of the guest of honor at the banquet

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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 infelicitous Listen to the tone of each, and for any buzz or hum or anything else infelicitous. — Peter Wayne Moe, Longreads, 26 Mar. 2026 Notwithstanding infelicitous boasting, Trump is a man of his word who will scrupulously honor his oath of office. — Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 10 Nov. 2024 Even so, the impulse to nationalize the problem will have its own, infelicitous effects. — Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Film-school student Haynes always imitates better directors — Fassbinder’s social melodrama, Joseph Losey’s studies of decadence (pilfering the infelicitous piano score from Losey’s The Go-Between, from 1971). — Armond White, National Review, 10 Jan. 2024 Dallas American politics lately feels like an endless game of—pardon the infelicitous word—delegitimation. — Barton Swaim, wsj.com, 18 Apr. 2023 The New York bill would implement a concept called extended producer responsibility, an incredibly infelicitous recycling term. — Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2021 Despite the infelicitous coincidence of the election date with Easter — which would normally have been expected to depress turnout — turnout actually ticked slightly upward from recent contests, to 67 percent. — Amy Erica Smith, Vox, 2 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for infelicitous

Adjective

Her colleagues voted twice last year to censure her for inappropriate criticism of city employees.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Specifically, Pickard said his understanding of the immunity deal is that his testimony about adultery and an inappropriate relationship cannot be used against him as part of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

— Matt Schooley, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of inappropriate

Adjective

At one unsuitable Gramercy apartment, Taylor encountered Cam Armand, a salesperson on the Kota team at Compass, and the Folwells enlisted his help.

— Joyce Cohen, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
In a setting designed to make exceptional yachts desirable, explaining why a particular vessel is unsuitable requires commercial discipline.

— Christoph Lymbersky, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsuitable

Adjective

Use safer payment methods When shopping online, paying with a credit card generally gives you stronger protections if an order never arrives or a charge is incorrect.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The figures represent requests for financial assistance, not necessarily complaints about incorrect water bills.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Adjective

Many of the women in the packed courtroom gallery appeared unhappy when the sentences were rendered.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Oct. 2026
Andy’s view Almost 14 years into Xi Jinping’s norm-busting reign, just about everybody is unhappy with his economy.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of unhappy

Adjective

There is exactly no evidence that trans identity makes individuals unfit to serve, and this move is a clear escalation in the administration’s attempts to simply remove trans people from American life.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
That’ll be particularly important after Paxton defeated Cornyn in a brutal primary where Senate Republicans and other Cornyn allies spent more than $90 million in his defense and attacked Paxton as unfit for office.

— Matthew Choi, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfit

Browse Nearby Words

infects

infelicitous

infelicity

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“Infelicitous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infelicitous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of infelicitous

adjective

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