inept

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Gosling’s Grace, unlike Matt Damon’s character, is attractively humble, often confused, and at times inept.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

There’s a real argument here that an agency so inept in its recruitment will also be inept at training people and carrying out its mission.

From Slate • Jan. 13, 2026

A party insider described talk of a leadership challenge before May to me as "politically inept".

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

“We spoke a lot about what kind of man Gustav was — the paradox of someone who can see people so clearly in his art yet be so clumsy and inept in his real life.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2025

“I think she was surprised. And perhaps her feelings were hurt. She certainly didn’t express herself very well. Shocking, really, that a romance novelist could be so inept at the language of the heart.”

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo