1
: generally incompetent : bungling
inept leadership
3
: not suitable to the time, place, or occasion : inappropriate often to an absurd degree
an inept metaphor
4
: lacking sense or reason : foolish
Synonyms
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.
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
In the movie, a well meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Ansari) and a wealthy capitalist (Rogen).
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, they were led by inept and/or unethical leaders that gambled with other people’s money and lost.
—Alexander S. Blume, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
But in its attempts to explore issues such as mental health and abuse, the film is staggeringly inept.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 12 Oct. 2024
Sailor’s father is on the periphery, an almost cartoonishly inept partner who feels simultaneously extremely believable.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inept 
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.
Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, they were led by inept and/or unethical leaders that gambled with other people’s money and lost.
—Alexander S. Blume, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
But in its attempts to explore issues such as mental health and abuse, the film is staggeringly inept.
—The Week Uk, theweek, 12 Oct. 2024
Sailor’s father is on the periphery, an almost cartoonishly inept partner who feels simultaneously extremely believable.
—Chloe Schama, Vogue, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for inept
Dictionary Entries Near inept
Cite this Entry
“Inept.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inept. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inept
adjective
in·ept
in-ˈept 
1
: not suited for the occasion : inappropriate
an inept remark
2
: lacking in skill or ability : incompetent
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share