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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of inept
Those bogus statistics are a good reminder that people can be brilliant technologists, while also being inept education reformers.
—
Justin Reich, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Before a key injury and a key suspension and an inept running game, the offensive line was supposed to be the story of the Chiefs’ season, with rookie Josh Simmons as the blindside protection and second-year Kingsley Suamataia one spot over at guard.
—Sam McDowell 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
But our favorite Empower Field moment came on the Bengals' initial drive of what became a hysterically inept second quarter for Cincy.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Josh Allen and the Bills are looking dominant through two weeks, while the Dolphins are completely inept.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Justin Reich, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
Before a key injury and a key suspension and an inept running game, the offensive line was supposed to be the story of the Chiefs’ season, with rookie Josh Simmons as the blindside protection and second-year Kingsley Suamataia one spot over at guard.
—Sam McDowell 3, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2025
But our favorite Empower Field moment came on the Bengals' initial drive of what became a hysterically inept second quarter for Cincy.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Josh Allen and the Bills are looking dominant through two weeks, while the Dolphins are completely inept.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inept
Adjective
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All of the charges were ultimately discharged after she was found incompetent for court proceedings by a doctor.—
David Clarey,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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Look only to the Bengals, Panthers, Browns and Jets, Sunday’s opponent, for examples of what can go wrong with owners with short pockets, short tempers and/or outsized influence from the unqualified and incompetent.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The campaign slammed her words and accusations as inappropriate and untrue.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
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There were a small number of other inappropriate language complaints and of him being in a state of undress.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Actually, Alma does suffer from ulcers, which cause her extraordinary stomach pain and vomiting at inconvenient moments, and cause viewers to wonder not if but when such clumsy symbolic traits will be trotted out in the future.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
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There had to be an element of her that was sort of clumsy.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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When smart algorithms do stupid things But scratch beneath the surface, and the cracks start showing.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
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America has funded the Ukrainian government, Ukrainian pensions, and Ukrainian businesses during this entire stupid war that America should have nothing to do with.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But rivals like former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and former California State Controller Betty Yee are already framing her as unfit for office.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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Arrived unfit and has recently been injured.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Financial promotion rules prevent inappropriate marketing to unsuitable investors.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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According to a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment in 2024, up to 70% of current wine-producing regions could become unsuitable for growing grapes if global temperatures rise by more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels.—
Miguel A. Torres,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Pickens caught a pass around the 26-yard line and blazed past cornerback Mike Jackson on an awkward angle for the score.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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Teammate Ji’Ayir Brown rolled up on the back of Warner’s ankle while trying to make a tackle on Rachaad White, and Warner’s ankle bent at an awkward angle.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Orús and Lizaso believe that the AI arms race is foolish.—
Vivienne Walt,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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The Eagles were undone by foolish penalties, including two flags that negated first downs on a potential go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter and one flag that extended a Broncos drive late in the game when the Eagles had forced a fourth down.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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