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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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The rubber sole is also important for clumsy gals like myself.—
Alyssa Grabinski,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Camels seem slow, hippos clumsy, phoenixes unstable, lions lazy.—
Francois Botha,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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Lee would sometimes visit Anderson at the Highland Chateau health and rehabilitation center in Highland Park, where she had been relocated with some objection after her Surrey Avenue property was deemed unfit for human habitation.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
10 Sep. 2025
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Detroit RUNDetroit, 1948 Division St Suite 105, collects old shoes for Zaman International, who will reporpose gently used pairs or recycle unfit shoes, according to RUNDetroit's Instagram.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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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
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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
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But giving someone as historically great as Derrick Henry added motivation, certainly may prove to be a foolish decision from Delpit.—
Reice Shipley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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There’s highly capable support in the cast from the unfailingly superb Vázquez, emanating gravitas, humanity and barely contained anger at the increasing frequency and spread of wildfires and the foolish refusal of those in power to address the growing threat.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inept. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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