inept
without skill or aptitude for a particular task or assignment; maladroit: He is inept at mechanical tasks. She is inept at dealing with people.
generally awkward or clumsy; haplessly incompetent.
inappropriate; unsuitable; out of place.
absurd or foolish: an inept remark.
Origin of inept
1Other words for inept
1 | unskillful, bungling |
4 | stupid, pointless, inane |
Opposites for inept
Other words from inept
- in·ept·ly, adverb
- in·ept·ness, in·ept·i·tude, noun
Words that may be confused with inept
Words Nearby inept
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use inept in a sentence
Cake mixes allowed even inept cooks to produce something edible, if not extraordinary.
America forgot how to make proper pie. Can we remember before it’s too late? | Megan McArdle | July 1, 2021 | Washington PostIn a review of the film for which she won, the New York Times described Zadora as a “spectacularly inept” actress.
In addition, just because insurrectionists are inept or unsuccessful doesn’t mean they aren’t insurrectionists.
The GOP quickly responds to Cheney’s ouster by ... pushing more conspiracy theories | Aaron Blake | May 13, 2021 | Washington PostHe, like many Washington insiders, believed the president and many of his advisers were politically inept, incapable of understanding the inner workings of Congress and unable to project a clear message to the public.
You should probably also zap a Dan doppelganger who is missing its right eye, as that is likely to be an inept evil clone.
In the fight against evil clones, food may be our greatest weapon | John Kelly | February 8, 2021 | Washington Post
Indeed, his inept attempts to frighten off Stewie only make the situation worse.
Their defense is lackadaisical, their forwards frequently inept.
World Cup 2014 Nail-Biter: Host Country Brazil Defeats Chile on Penalty Kicks | Tunku Varadarajan | June 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe moment seems to be a familiar breed of Internet gaffe when a eager but inept social media staffer makes a blunder.
RNC Chair Tweets Picture Of Maryland's Democratic Governor | Ben Jacobs | May 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHow could members of my profession be so inept at talking to suffering people?
How One Doctor Mastered the Art of Delivering Life-Changing Diagnoses | Russell Saunders | March 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTRather than a world of war and dragons, we get “Medieval Land Fun-Time,” a theme park with inept employees.
Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock Play ‘Chopsticks,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ Parody, and More Viral Videos | Natasha Bach | October 20, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTThe visitors made a game of being awkward and inept, together.
The Planet Strappers | Raymond Zinke GallunThe "for" is spurious, and though it is not inept the sentence gains greatly in impressiveness by its omission.
Expositor's Bible: The Second Epistle to the Corinthians | James DenneyThe endearment is so plaintively inept that she smiles in spite of herself, and resigns herself to indulge him a little.
You Never Can Tell | George Bernard ShawIt is inept for pigmies to stand before one who has every intention of becoming a rapacious pirate shortly.
Kai Lung's Golden Hours | Ernest BramahHe had meant to test his conviction in solitude, but why not put it to trial now, and shame this doubting and inept Rapp, Senior?
The Wrong Twin | Harry Leon Wilson
British Dictionary definitions for inept
/ (ɪnˈɛpt) /
awkward, clumsy, or incompetent
not suitable, appropriate, or fitting; out of place
Origin of inept
1Derived forms of inept
- ineptitude, noun
- ineptly, adverb
- ineptness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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