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
The inept response to the protests and the harassment of Jews from the former president of Columbia, Minouche Shafik, cost her her job after barely a year in office.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Or that failed for being inept or obsolete?
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Lawlor played the inept Leonard Marsh, who works with Leachman’s Phyllis Lindstrom in the San Francisco City Supervisor’s office, on the second and last season (1976-77) of Phyllis, one of the many Mary Tyler Moore Show spinoffs.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
The way the club is run by Sullivan is inept in this day and age, a lot money is spent on the team but haphazardly with a poor imbalanced squad.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Or that failed for being inept or obsolete?
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
Lawlor played the inept Leonard Marsh, who works with Leachman’s Phyllis Lindstrom in the San Francisco City Supervisor’s office, on the second and last season (1976-77) of Phyllis, one of the many Mary Tyler Moore Show spinoffs.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
The way the club is run by Sullivan is inept in this day and age, a lot money is spent on the team but haphazardly with a poor imbalanced squad.
—Roshane Thomas, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inept
Adjective
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The oligarchy is almost as incompetent and out of touch as is Trump.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
17 Apr. 2025
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Lawyers for Mike Jeffries, 80, are hoping to place him in the custody of the Attorney General for further evaluation 1 Comments Lawyers for ex-Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries filed a motion on Thursday saying that their client is mentally incompetent to stand trial.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That’s as the league continues its investigation of longtime Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who was accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 massage therapists as part of an investigation by The Baltimore Banner.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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JoJo Siwa gets candid following Mickey Rourke's 'Big Brother' exit Siwa's revelation follows an exit from fellow castmate Mickey Rourke, who made inappropriate comments regarding her sexuality and used a slur.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Imagine being cuddled by long-legged, clumsy poodles.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2025
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That’s — actually kind of genius, especially if the Poet was a clumsy fella who needed that kind of precautionary measure.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Making stupid internet fodder has never been easier than now, with the prevalence of AI image generators making everything from deepfakes to memes.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2025
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Much like the stupid prions wreaking havoc in his brain.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Its troubles began in 2022 after regulators declared the company unfit to operate its casinos following media reports of money laundering at its properties.—
Yessar Rosendar,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Just like an organization being certain that other players are unfit for the harsh glare of intense games in April.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Olivia Heller/The Hustle For-profit developers, for one thing, often find church and synagogue properties unsuitable for redevelopment.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
11 Apr. 2025
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Such glues and taped seams make Gore-tex jackets unsuitable for chemical recycling.—
Carlton Reid,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Its Darcy, Matthew MacFadyen, was in his late 20s and still had an awkward, youthful reserve that turned out to be perfect for this version’s take on the handsome, distant gentleman who falls for Elizabeth.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
18 Apr. 2025
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Though, fair warning: a colleague told me using it with their manager made for a very awkward 48 hours.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The idea of the Nuggets claiming three more games in this series with Michael Porter Jr. scoring three points — on Denver’s first basket, no less — is foolish.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Apr. 2025
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The first three days of the season took care of such foolish rookie thoughts and proved to be a humbling, but learning, experience.—
Thomas Weddle,
Outdoor Life,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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