1
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
an inapt but well-meaning attempt to inject some humor into the proceedings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
a recruit who was utterly inapt for most soldierly duties, so he spent most of his time playing in the army band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 inapt
Beyond the application of arguably inapt legal and regulatory standards, technical and operational challenges may likewise hinder deAI adoption.
—
Charlyn Ho, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
As Pettis explains, the problem is one of inapt comparisons.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
The visual flair peaks in the first episode, along with the series’ shallow, if not necessarily inapt, insight into life in this particular time and place.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
The comparison is pungent but inapt: Archival work is not death work.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 14 May 2024
Some assert that a grip can hardly be considered an inapt jail without also being a biplane.
—Jay Pilgreen, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2024
If not then your analogy is inapt.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2023
As a rebuke to warmongers, a monument from one Hohenzollern despot to another seems inapt and more like a hint to keep those hobnail jackboots handy.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 1 Apr. 2023
The comparison isn’t entirely inapt.
—New York Times, 19 Jan. 2021
Charlyn Ho, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
As Pettis explains, the problem is one of inapt comparisons.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
The visual flair peaks in the first episode, along with the series’ shallow, if not necessarily inapt, insight into life in this particular time and place.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025
The comparison is pungent but inapt: Archival work is not death work.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 14 May 2024
Some assert that a grip can hardly be considered an inapt jail without also being a biplane.
—Jay Pilgreen, Kansas City Star, 12 Feb. 2024
If not then your analogy is inapt.
—Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 25 Apr. 2023
As a rebuke to warmongers, a monument from one Hohenzollern despot to another seems inapt and more like a hint to keep those hobnail jackboots handy.
—Brian T. Allen, National Review, 1 Apr. 2023
The comparison isn’t entirely inapt.
—New York Times, 19 Jan. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inapt
Adjective
-
The app has a private messaging feature that can lead to inappropriate conversations with predators.—
Hannah Nwoko,
Parents,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Cornelius said that the superintendent later informed her of other prior incidents including her son — who has autism and is nonverbal — getting a shower without her permission, getting called vulgar names by staff and teachers, and receiving other inappropriate comments.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These individuals—who meet all military requirements, are deployed worldwide, and serve with distinction—are now labeled unfit based on a characteristic that has nothing to do with their abilities or performance.—
Carlos Del Toro,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
-
When the Gulf War broke out in 1990, many staffers resisted covering it at all, deeming it a jingoistic exercise unfit for media participation.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
If the new wells prove unsuitable for city use, the city has a contingency plan designed for rehabilitation.—
Kyle Martin,
The Mercury News,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Until now, scientists have generally thought that planets orbiting white dwarfs would be unsuitable for life because the dynamic temperature decrease of their dead parent star makes their atmospheres too unstable.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
On what planet would anyone buy this team and let that incompetent non- entity have any role ?—
Ken Rosenthal,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Thank you to El Salvador and, in particular, President Bukele, for your understanding of this horrible situation, which was allowed to happen to the United States because of incompetent Democrat leadership.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And then there is Derek McDaniel, whose incorrect assembling of his nomination packet for 2023 city council race resulted in a circuit court judge bouncing him from the ballot, and whose campaign yard sign size and placement have been questioned in this race.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Do not sign an immigration form that includes incorrect information or blanks.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Medicare, the health insurance program for senior citizens, racked up $54.3 billion in improper payments last year.—
Kevin R. Kosar,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
-
As a consequence, there is a danger that the jury would reach a decision on an improper basis due to evidence that is unfairly prejudicial.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In those moments, the human element that leaders bring to the table—sometimes referred to as their gut instinct—provides guidance that data is incapable of delivering.—
Anar Mammadov,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The type of flexible thinking that Maresca and his dogma is totally incapable of.—
Thom Harris,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The question of the night is the choice between selling out their souls to the vapid American tourists at the Tropicana nightclub (bad) or singing for their own people on the wrong side of the tracks (good).—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Bias is a problem because AI learns from past data, and if that data has mistakes or unfair patterns, AI can repeat them, leading to wrong or unfair decisions.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inapt. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share