ineptly

adverb

Definition of ineptlynext
as in poorly

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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 ineptly The collapse of the Constitution’s balance of powers between three branches of government got us into an unneeded war conducted ineptly. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026 Dancing the Poznan really ineptly, mind you, but dancing nonetheless. — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025 Somehow this ineptly plotted affair lured Keke Palmer into its lair and her comedy chops all but gets handcuffed by an illogical, unfunny screenplay. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ineptly
  1. poorly
  2. incompetently
  3. inefficiently
Adverb
  • Coach Curt Cignetti was asked after the game how his team could play so poorly for most of three quarters and still pull out a win.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The bet went swimmingly for the house and poorly for its takers.
    — Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of poorly
Adverb
  • Clinicians should be working to support us, not fumbling incompetently or making paternalistic determinations.
    — Meg LeDuc, STAT, 23 Sep. 2026
  • As was mentioned in your editorial, the Broward school district has been incompetently managed, wasteful and corrupt for years.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Definition of incompetently
Adverb
  • Local solutions can also consume model tokens inefficiently, duplicate efforts and introduce inconsistent security and compliance practices.
    — Fabio Caversan, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than heating massive reactors inefficiently from the outside or burning methane, the team placed a burner directly inside the reactor to combust a small portion of hydrogen.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of inefficiently

Browse Nearby Words

ineptitude
ineptly
ineptness
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Cite this Entry

“Ineptly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ineptly. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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