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
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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 Brewers, whose 97-65 record was the best in MLB this season, were inept in the series scoring five runs on 14 hits in the four games.
—
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Mantzoukas joins the cast as Mayor Wayne John John-John, stepping into the political chaos as the city’s loudly inept leader.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
But the Jets have been mostly inept for a decade and a half, and the franchise has been groping for some sort of good fortune.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The hitters on both sides in this series — some of the best in the sport — were rendered inept.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 18 Oct. 2025
Mantzoukas joins the cast as Mayor Wayne John John-John, stepping into the political chaos as the city’s loudly inept leader.
—Jane Lacroix, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
But the Jets have been mostly inept for a decade and a half, and the franchise has been groping for some sort of good fortune.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
The hitters on both sides in this series — some of the best in the sport — were rendered inept.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inept
Adjective
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Devil in Disguise also presents the Chicago Police Department as incompetent in its mission to protect and serve.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
16 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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This means exposing the shoulders, showing too much leg above the knees, or wearing clothing with crude or inappropriate imagery.—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Section 5 would've set new terms for challenging material that anyone may find inappropriate, and ultimately vest public local officials with the power to issue a final ruling on the dispute.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even the basic details of the situation can sound like the clumsy plot of some apocalyptic thriller.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
An exceptionally clumsy device.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And that’s a stupid, dumb, mindless question.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Oct. 2025
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Dessert Week is the stupidest week, at least conceptually.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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However, if temperatures fluctuate unpredictably, going below or above the average, all the low-var animals will be unfit and unable to pass on their genes.—
Shraddha Lall,
The Conversation,
16 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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That wing is usually reserved for prisoners who are considered unsuitable to be kept among the prison’s general population, usually out of fears for their safety.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
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Financial promotion rules prevent inappropriate marketing to unsuitable investors.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Frederick Wherry, Kristin Seefeldt, and Anthony Alvarez examine the strategies potential lenders use to make these interactions less awkward.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Oct. 2025
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Talk about awkward reunions at unlikely places, if this does happen.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The offer valued Alchemize at $2 million, well below Nazareth’s goal, but investor Daymond John suggested the founder would be foolish to walk away from a chance to partner with three Sharks.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
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Ellis advises parents that even if teens make a few purchases that seem frivolous or foolish, instilling good financial habits is what’s most important.—
Yolande Clark-Jackson,
Parents,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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