inept

adjective

in·​ept i-ˈnept How to pronounce inept (audio)
1
: generally incompetent : bungling
inept leadership
2
: lacking in fitness or aptitude : unfit
inept at sports
3
: not suitable to the time, place, or occasion : inappropriate often to an absurd degree
an inept metaphor
4
: lacking sense or reason : foolish
ineptly adverb
ineptness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for inept

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct).

awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Examples of inept in a Sentence

Not only does the post have a narrow mandate, covering such sexy subjects as nuclear waste and solar energy, but the secretary presides over the most inept bureaucrats in the land. Franklin Foer, New Republic, 3 July 2000
The real hackers have an understanding of technology at a basic level.  … The rest are talentless poseurs and hangers-on, either completely inept or basic criminals. Bruce Schneier, Secrets & Lies, 2000
To Cornelius, the White House travel office must have seemed—as it would have to any of the others who had served on the tight ship of the campaign's travel operation—an appallingly inept … operation. Peter J. Boyer, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 1996
He was completely inept at sports. He made an inept attempt to apologize.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Darius Slayton, Wide Receiver, New York Giants Another player who’s in the final year of his current deal, Darius Slayton has produced at a high level for one of the more inept passing offenses in the league. Jesse Reed, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024 But her efforts in two high-profile cases have been inept. East Bay Times Editorial, The Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2024 New England is similarly inept, so this one across the pond stays close. Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2024 As second in command and a completely inept border czar, Harris has been a gleeful accomplice — not only in the destruction of American sovereignty, security, and prosperity, but also in the largest political coverup in U.S. history. Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 21 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for inept 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French inepte, from Latin ineptus, from in- + aptus apt

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of inept was in 1542

Dictionary Entries Near inept

Cite this Entry

“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inept. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inept

adjective
in·​ept in-ˈept How to pronounce inept (audio)
1
: not suited for the occasion : inappropriate
an inept remark
2
: lacking in skill or ability : incompetent
ineptitude
-ˈep-tə-ˌt(y)üd
noun
ineptly adverb
ineptness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inept

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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