1
as in incompetent
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
a well-meaning but inept assistant who can't seem to keep appointments straight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
an inept comparison between nursing-home residents and day-care children that many found offensive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clumsy
showing or marked by a lack of skill and tact (as in dealing with a situation)
an inept effort to become friends with their future son-in-law
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in stupid
showing or marked by a lack of good sense or judgment
she offers one inept suggestion after another for saving the parish church
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inept
Knee argues that the inconsistency of the geographical settings goes hand in hand with the how their American protagonists are depicted as inept operators whose heroism is ambiguous.
—
H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025
An overly attentive, socially inept pain in the arse.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Fueled by the radical groupthink Far Left faculty, inept University leadership, donations by foreign adversaries, and proHamas terrorists, Harvard has fully embraced and tolerated the raging antisemitism threatening the lives and physical safety of Jewish students on campus.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
The Yankees, who still lead the American League with 370 runs scored, have been completely inept at the plate.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 18 June 2025
An overly attentive, socially inept pain in the arse.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 May 2025
Fueled by the radical groupthink Far Left faculty, inept University leadership, donations by foreign adversaries, and proHamas terrorists, Harvard has fully embraced and tolerated the raging antisemitism threatening the lives and physical safety of Jewish students on campus.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
The Yankees, who still lead the American League with 370 runs scored, have been completely inept at the plate.
—Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inept
Adjective
-
He was found incompetent to stand trial, which in the state of Colorado, means he must be released from custody, Padden's office told Fox News Digital earlier this month.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
-
Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students, and McGann resigned from Lewisville ISD in May 2023, FitzPatrick said.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
2 Aug. 2025
-
After further studies and community meetings, city planners found three intersections to be inappropriate and dropped them from the plan.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Dream plays are difficult to execute—whimsy is easily crushed by clumsy handling.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
25 July 2025
-
Despite a clumsy apology tour, Hogan was never able to completely shake his darkest moment.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
If the producers manage to create another roof moment, Torin and his stupid little hats are cooked.—
Olivia Crandall,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Mia promises not to ask for help or do anything stupid.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Colonel McCall ruled that a fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, was mentally unfit to face trial, and severed him from the case.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The station said years later, federal prosecutors tried to refute her claims of being medically unfit, arguing a surveillance video showed Austin walking in and out of a salon without help.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Intermittent fasting, for example, may be unsuitable for people with pre-existing conditions or irritable bowel syndrome.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
17 July 2025
-
While effective in commercial spheres, this approach to AI, which often involves a disregard for data privacy, is viewed as unsuitable for Washington.—
Dean DeBiase,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The house was a little awkward and needed some work, including in the living room, which had a mix of original wood flooring and vinyl.—
Thomas Fuller,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
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Yet that has led to an awkward UX for those who lean into portrait mode.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Controllable pitching is hard to come by in the big leagues, and the Pirates would be foolish to trade him away after signing him to a big contract.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 July 2025
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Any in-depth evaluation would be foolish until Monday, when players don pads and the pass rush speeds McCarthy up even further.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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