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
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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
-
Is the ‘Minecraft’ movie inappropriate? Not particularly.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The league’s reason for not punishing Morant was understanding his intent behind the gesture wasn’t violent, but Morant was advised to refrain from using the inappropriate celebration.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
There were cries of a rotten system and in its recent lawsuit against the tennis authorities, the PTPA has belittled the current system as unfit for purpose.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Once a game has started, the lead umpire determines whether it should be suspended as well as when it can be resumed or terminated because of bad weather or unfit playing conditions.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 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
-
The police department’s insufficient and incompetent investigation cannot stand.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
-
After almost a year of being declared incompetent, her trial began in April 2023.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Although some posters online have suggested the streetlamp are emitting ultraviolet or black light, that's incorrect, Davis said.—
Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2025
-
When that happens, inferring eligibility based on the tax unit claiming the child would be incorrect.—
Elaine Maag,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Tony Bennett's daughters filed a new lawsuit in New York, claiming their brother abused his power of fiduciary duty and other improper and unlawful conduct, according to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2025
-
The move backfired: the bank’s board of governors, on which China remains an observer, removed Claver-Carone after allegations of improper behavior involving a subordinate.—
MATIAS SPEKTOR,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The Twins needed to bang their way to victories, but were incapable of doing so.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Does this mean that the CEO coach is not psychologically adept and incapable of digging deep?—
Dr. John Blakey,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
In the case of the Ruscha photographs, computer vision was simply wrong.—
Sonja Drimmer,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Rhian, who grew up traveling and eating street food without issue, never expected anything to go wrong.—
Jordan Greene,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inapt. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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