inept

adjective

in·​ept i-ˈnept 

1

: generally incompetent : bungling

inept leadership

2

: lacking in fitness or aptitude : unfit

inept at sports

3

: not suitable to the time, place, or occasion : inappropriate often to an absurd degree

an inept metaphor

4

: lacking sense or reason : foolish

ineptly

i-ˈnep(t)-lē 

adverb

ineptness

i-ˈnept-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• inapt
• incapable
• incompetent
• inexpert
• unable
• unfit
• unfitted
• unqualified
• unskilled
• unskillful

Choose the Right Synonym for inept

awkward, clumsy, maladroit, inept, gauche mean not marked by ease (as of performance, movement, or social conduct).

awkward is widely applicable and may suggest unhandiness, inconvenience, lack of muscular control, embarrassment, or lack of tact.

periods of awkward silence

clumsy implies stiffness and heaviness and so may connote inflexibility, unwieldiness, or lack of ordinary skill.

a clumsy mechanic

maladroit suggests a tendency to create awkward situations.

a maladroit politician

inept often implies complete failure or inadequacy.

a hopelessly inept defense attorney

gauche implies the effects of shyness, inexperience, or ill breeding.

felt gauche and unsophisticated at formal parties

Examples of inept in a Sentence

Not only does the post have a narrow mandate, covering such sexy subjects as nuclear waste and solar energy, but the secretary presides over the most inept bureaucrats in the land. —Franklin Foer, New Republic, 3 July 2000

The real hackers have an understanding of technology at a basic level.  … The rest are talentless poseurs and hangers-on, either completely inept or basic criminals. —Bruce Schneier, Secrets & Lies, 2000

To Cornelius, the White House travel office must have seemed—as it would have to any of the others who had served on the tight ship of the campaign's travel operation—an appallingly inept … operation. —Peter J. Boyer, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 1996

He was completely inept at sports.

He made an inept attempt to apologize.

Recent Examples on the Web

While a passer-by might see no progress on the site and assume the builders are inept or lazy, they've simply been overpowered. —New Atlas, 26 Mar. 2025

The end result is a party that looks totally inept and hopelessly out of touch. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Mar. 2025

In the wake of the city’s inept handling of record January snowstorms, Jane Byrne upset Mayor Michael Bilandic in the Democratic primary. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025

The inept response to the protests and the harassment of Jews from the former president of Columbia, Minouche Shafik, cost her her job after barely a year in office. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French inepte, from Latin ineptus, from in- + aptus apt

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for inept

• accept
• adept
• except
• precept
• sidestepped
• transept
• windswept
• crept
• kept
• leaped
• leapt
• prepped

Kids Definition

inept

adjective

in·​ept in-ˈept 

1

: not suited for the occasion : inappropriate

an inept remark

2

: lacking in skill or ability : incompetent

ineptitude

-ˈep-tə-ˌt(y)üd

noun

ineptly

-ˈep-(t)lē 

adverb

ineptness

-ˈep(t)-nəs 

noun