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 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
So, what’s the difference between being awkward and being inept?
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
The new and inept Federal Reserve crushed credit availability.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
There will be a lot of shameful words written here about how embarrassingly inept your team are.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Daniel R. Epstein, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
So, what’s the difference between being awkward and being inept?
—Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
The new and inept Federal Reserve crushed credit availability.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 June 2025
There will be a lot of shameful words written here about how embarrassingly inept your team are.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 22 May 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
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Once the encounter was posted online, internet sleuths quickly detected the identity of the duo, and the encounter was deemed particularly inappropriate given Byron is married.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
Back then, Trump derided White House events for foreign dignitaries held in tents, saying that was an inappropriate way to entertain them.—
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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And Hank’s own clumsy attempts at hypermasculine child-rearing often come from his father, Cotton (Toby Huss).—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
Gone are are the days of clumsy imagery and texts and fake sign-in pages that can be detected in an instant.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
And some stupid Republicans, and foolish Republicans, fall into the net.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 July 2025
-
The film ends with Lady Susan setting herself up in a kind of throuple, although one member of the ménage is too stupid to be so informed.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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While red flags were posted on nearby sections of the beach, her lawsuit alleges the city should have known the entire area was unfit for swimming.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
21 July 2025
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Trump's nomination of Adams this month stirred outrage among some of the president's opponents at home who said Adams was unfit for the job.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 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
-
The Marlins would be foolish to trade away an ace with affordable team control at his lowest value ever.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Schulman’s characters make enough foolish and self-indulgent choices to fill a volume twice the size of this slim one.—
Book Marks
July 11,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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