1
as in inexperienced
lacking or showing a lack of expert skill
an inexpert attempt at putting on an outdoor concert
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incompetent
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
the inexpert mechanic only made the problem worse—and charged me a fortune for doing it
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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)
well-meaning but inexpert expressions of sympathy from friends after the funeral
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in amateur
a person who lacks experience and competence in an art or science
the shoddy tiling in the bathroom was a sure sign that it was the work of an inexpert
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inexpert
Dallas News, 6 May 2022
The procedure is not without risk: The mortality rate from tellurium injections is 12 percent, and can rise as high as 68 percent for children when the work is performed by an inexpert hand.
—Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022
That’s not surprising: Conspiracy theorists often aim to ply the inexpert masses with plausible-sounding but inaccurate legalisms in order to sow confusion.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2021
The evening was a simple, completely inexpert exercise in apolitical comity.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 June 2021
Brainy, mannered, dryly amused, ‘The Inheritance’ can appear willfully inexpert; the self-conscious acting feels both deliberate and the work of a director who hasn’t spent much time working with actors.
—Mark Olsen Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2021
Adjective
Despite the exhibition’s dynamism and appreciated efforts to frame each work for the viewer, the accompanying wall text and political readings felt thin and inexpert at times.
—Dallas News, 6 May 2022
The procedure is not without risk: The mortality rate from tellurium injections is 12 percent, and can rise as high as 68 percent for children when the work is performed by an inexpert hand.
—Aaron Timms, The New Republic, 2 Sep. 2022
That’s not surprising: Conspiracy theorists often aim to ply the inexpert masses with plausible-sounding but inaccurate legalisms in order to sow confusion.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2021
The evening was a simple, completely inexpert exercise in apolitical comity.
—Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 6 June 2021
Brainy, mannered, dryly amused, ‘The Inheritance’ can appear willfully inexpert; the self-conscious acting feels both deliberate and the work of a director who hasn’t spent much time working with actors.
—Mark Olsen Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inexpert
Adjective
-
This kind of data delusion and fact fiction is, on the one hand, very sad, the mark of a man too fragile, impotent and incompetent to accept reality or withstand criticism.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
7 Aug. 2025
-
With the incompetent and corrupt federal administration no longer involved, private investors might be willing to jump in.—
Joe Mathews,
Mercury News,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Any move to unify systems and say goodbye to clumsy data management couldn't be more crucial—or opportune.—
Charles Crouchman,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Every summer a disposable camera was tucked into my camp bag, where clumsy photos, often with a thumb peeking in, were snapped with reckless abandon.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The only image from life to capture Austen’s face is this sketch made by her sister Cassandra, an averagely talented amateur.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The best professional investors of all time get it right maybe 55% of the time, so why wouldn’t amateurs shoot for low-probability/high-payout bets?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
Communication tools are a major friction point, with two-thirds of workers finding their current solutions unfit for purpose, and almost half perceiving them as designed exclusively for office staff.—
Melody Brue,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
-
The 41-year-old was taken to the hospital after the flight landed and was later arrested on suspicion of being unfit for duty, per the statement.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Kyler Murray completed seven of his eight passes, with one awkward misread going for a pick: Third-year running back Bam Knight busted out on a 27-yard rush, and his backfield teammate Emari Demercado took a screen pass all the way to the house.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The coming weeks are the slow limp forwards that Putin wants: Tension between Trump and Zelensky first, followed by European pressure on Trump to ease off on Zelensky, followed by awkward and technical stalling over a three-way meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
16 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Plus, reporter Harry Rabinowitz tested over 30 pairs of running shoes and shares his top picks for beginners, shoes with the best arch support, and more.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
12 Aug. 2025
-
For beginner astronomers, this means it has been recognized for its ultra dark skies and commitment to retaining an environment free of light pollution and ideal for astronomical observations.—
JP Shaffer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
-
Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
The current version of Kuang might be described as a tabula-rasa novice, a highly accomplished author who would prefer to be an eager disciple.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
-
The most pythons caught by a novice were 14 by Krista Hoekstra, while John Southworth led the military category with 5.—
NBC South Florida,
NBC news,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inexpert.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inexpert. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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