ineptitude

noun

in·​ep·​ti·​tude (ˌ)i-ˈnep-tə-ˌtüd 

-ˌtyüd

: the quality or state of being inept

especially : incompetence

Synonyms

• impotence
• inability
• inadequacy
• incapability
• incapacity
• incompetence
• incompetency
• insufficiency
• powerlessness

Examples of ineptitude in a Sentence

The team's poor play is being blamed on the ineptitude of the coaching staff.

the nurse's ineptitude made it clear that she would be happier in a different line of work

Recent Examples on the Web

The recent bribery scandal that the feds blew up has generated headlines and become a sort of go-to example of the system’s ineptitude, but NYCHA’s problem goes well beyond a few dozen supervisors illegally taking kickbacks. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Mar. 2024

The party features a beauty pageant, a raffle, song and dance — and petty corruption and ineptitude. —Emily Tamkin, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2024

Hamas was growing stronger while the PA in the West Bank withered away under the weight of its own ineptitude and corruption. —Natan Sachs, Foreign Affairs, 19 Jan. 2024

The 1997 Cubs infamously began their season with a National League-record 14-game losing streak, matching their crosstown rivals in ineptitude before Friday when the Sox tried to avoid setting Chicago’s baseball futility record. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin ineptitudo, from ineptus

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined above