as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the nurse's ineptitude made it clear that she would be happier in a different line of work
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Recent Examples of ineptitude
Rebuilding after the fires Pratt has tied the city’s slow recovery after the Palisades and Eaton fires last year to a broader ineptitude in government.
—
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
His future value to historians will be as a model of hubris and ineptitude.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
The Giants are entering year one of the Harbaugh era, looking to get back to credibility after a decade plus of ineptitude.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Another film might want to demystify its spell and show you the creaky machinery under the surface—the bumbling ineptitude of the industry suits, the little humiliations of touring life.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineptitude
Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
His future value to historians will be as a model of hubris and ineptitude.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
The Giants are entering year one of the Harbaugh era, looking to get back to credibility after a decade plus of ineptitude.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
Another film might want to demystify its spell and show you the creaky machinery under the surface—the bumbling ineptitude of the industry suits, the little humiliations of touring life.
—Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ineptitude
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineptitude
inability
Noun
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Among the reasons why Southern California was seen as vulnerable, the report said in 2008, was a loss of water due to quake damage and the resulting inability of firefighters to extinguish blazes.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
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Joseph also criticized the inability of lawmakers to work across the aisle to pass legislation that would help residents rather than focusing on the priorities of special interests.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ineptitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineptitude. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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