1
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective inept contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of inept are awkward, clumsy, gauche, and maladroit. While all these words mean "not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct)," inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

When is it sensible to use awkward instead of inept?

The words awkward and inept can be used in similar contexts, but awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

In what contexts can clumsy take the place of inept?

The meanings of clumsy and inept largely overlap; however, clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

When might gauche be a better fit than inept?

The synonyms gauche and inept are sometimes interchangeable, but gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

When could maladroit be used to replace inept?

In some situations, the words maladroit and inept are roughly equivalent. However, maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of inept Then, an inept psychic (Vanessa Bayer) meddles in the family affair, with a supernatural shift causing Anna and Tess to swap bodies and souls with Harper and Lily. EW.com, 8 Aug. 2025 The Bruins were inept in key areas (running game, Red Zone conversions, scoring), leading Foster to fire Eric Bieniemy and take his chances with Sunseri, who worked for Indiana’s Curt Cignetti but has not been a full-time playcaller. Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025 Musk satire aside, there’s also a big difference of what a comedy about an inept cop means in 2025 vs.1988, and Schaffer, Gregor and Mand never let the police off the hook. Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 1 Aug. 2025 China has the most advanced high-speed rail network in the world, but by invoking the Chinese, Newsom is simply highlighting how inept his administration is. Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for inept
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inept
Adjective
  • The man was charged with multiple felony charges but found incompetent to stand trial.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Esmeralda is incompetent, egotistic, and, thanks to Impacciatore’s ace comedic timing, totally fabulous.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Production on the star's prior film, Being Mortal, was suspended by Searchlight Pictures in 2022 after a staffer filed a complaint against actor Bill Murray, alleging inappropriate behavior.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Sep. 2025
  • While Roblox has filters and moderation, kids can still be exposed to inappropriate language, scams, or unsafe conversations.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Chris and Emilia’s conversation is suddenly interrupted by a premature explosion, which was caused by a clumsy member of a militia group called the Sons of Liberty.
    Scott Meslow, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Tiny, slow and clumsy — these hatchlings are an easy snack for predators.
    Diaa Hadid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The recent rash of CEOs Gone Wild is arguably even stupider than commonplace fraud, and a troubling sign that there continues to be a slippery slope of accountability for C-Suite leadership.
    Ian Chaffee, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The accounts team logs in right on time, and the stupid dance of platitudes that precedes every meeting at every company around the world begins.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On the flip side, O’Regan said, physically fit people with obesity had a ‘younger’ cardiovascular age than unfit people.
    Kristen Fischer, Health, 28 Aug. 2025
  • For instance, not spending time with the children, using overly harsh or inappropriate discipline, undermining the other parent’s authority or showing a lack of interest in the children’s lives can make a partner seem like an unfit parent, and consequently, an unfit partner.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The concern expressed is that people are turning to AI for mental health advice and do not realize that (presumably) AI is unsuitable for that purpose.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The drastic drop in performance from the 2022 season points to the idea that the current generation of cars is unsuitable for the Briton.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • After a 21-year absence from Wrigley Field that ended earlier this summer, the weekend ceremonies seemed to signal the conclusion to an awkward, ongoing saga.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • However, nothing negates the unique way in which people from the South embrace socializing with each other, which brings us to a potentially awkward situation that arises often enough and gives grief to even the most polite Southerners.
    Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Grace can be a frustrating protagonist, making foolish, self-sabotaging decisions in pursuit of fleeting pleasure and conditional approval from guys who, frankly, aren’t worth her time.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Placing stock in anything but winning might be foolish, especially given the nature of how the Steelers quarterback operates.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on inept

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!