ineptitude
noun
in·ep·ti·tude
(ˌ)i-ˈnep-tə-ˌtüd 
-ˌtyüd
: the quality or state of being inept
especially
: incompetence
Synonyms
Examples of ineptitude in a Sentence
The team's poor play is being blamed on the ineptitude of the coaching staff.
the nurse's ineptitude made it clear that she would be happier in a different line of work
Recent Examples on the Web
Because the Steelers aren’t associated with such ineptitude.
—
Jimmy Watkins, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023
Offensive ineptitude might be a polite way to put it.
—Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023
Read full article If the offense is merely competent — which would be an enormous upgrade over last season’s Matt Patricia-led tribute to ineptitude — the Patriots will be a much better team this season.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Of course, aggression by Russia against NATO member states seems even more inconceivable now that Russia has bled away combat power and demonstrated military ineptitude in its invasion of Ukraine.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 3 Sep. 2023
Stupidity and ineptitude are no excuse for criminality.
—Readers, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2023
Rather than owning up to roster and facility decay while pocketing revenue-sharing money from other clubs, Fisher and club president Dave Kaval, with the occasional snarky support from Manfred, claim fan and civic indifference, not ineptitude, is the reason the club must relocate to Las Vegas.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
Since then, Hollywood has not produced a single film about women that’s not mired in umbrage or ineptitude.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 July 2023
Guinn’s excellent, infuriating and sad account of David Koresh’s evolution into a paranoid religious fanatic, his rise to leadership of the Branch Davidians, and the ineptitude that culminated in the FBI’s lethal attack on the religious group’s compound outside Waco, Tex.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2023
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Jimmy Watkins, cleveland, 19 Sep. 2023
Offensive ineptitude might be a polite way to put it.
—Ainslie Lee | Alee@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2023
Read full article If the offense is merely competent — which would be an enormous upgrade over last season’s Matt Patricia-led tribute to ineptitude — the Patriots will be a much better team this season.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Sep. 2023
Of course, aggression by Russia against NATO member states seems even more inconceivable now that Russia has bled away combat power and demonstrated military ineptitude in its invasion of Ukraine.
—Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 3 Sep. 2023
Stupidity and ineptitude are no excuse for criminality.
—Readers, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2023
Rather than owning up to roster and facility decay while pocketing revenue-sharing money from other clubs, Fisher and club president Dave Kaval, with the occasional snarky support from Manfred, claim fan and civic indifference, not ineptitude, is the reason the club must relocate to Las Vegas.
—Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023
Since then, Hollywood has not produced a single film about women that’s not mired in umbrage or ineptitude.
—Armond White, National Review, 26 July 2023
Guinn’s excellent, infuriating and sad account of David Koresh’s evolution into a paranoid religious fanatic, his rise to leadership of the Branch Davidians, and the ineptitude that culminated in the FBI’s lethal attack on the religious group’s compound outside Waco, Tex.
—Katherine A. Powers, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ineptitude.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin ineptitudo, from ineptus
First Known Use
1615, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near ineptitude
Cite this Entry
“Ineptitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ineptitude. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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