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
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
Moreover, the analogy to securities regulation is inapt.
—M. Todd Henderson, WSJ, 16 May 2022
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
Moreover, the analogy to securities regulation is inapt.
—M. Todd Henderson, WSJ, 16 May 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inapt
Adjective
-
Louden does and says things that are inappropriate in the film.—
Todd Gilchrist,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Sánchez's bold look sent the internet into a frenzy, with many people feeling the attire was inappropriate for the occasion.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In my view, Darren Beattie is grotesquely unfit to represent the United States.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
6 Feb. 2025
-
But the new order goes further by laying out controversial claims that transgender people could be inherently unfit to serve because the process of transitioning to a new gender often involves drugs that could impact readiness.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
So, with the names in play unsuitable, and no speed merchants on the trade block, does Oilers GM Stan Bowman pivot to another player type?—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The following year, regulators ruled that the company was unsuitable to operate its casinos in Sydney and Queensland, placing them under government supervision.—
Yessar Rosendar,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Republicans stand in solidarity, voting for incompetent Cabinet picks, while Democrats are barred from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development building, which Musk shut down.—
Christine Ledbetter,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The difference in expertise is often shocking, which is one reason so many appeals cite incompetent representation.—
Lawrence Wright,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Many of those who have lost insurance missed form deadlines or had an incorrect address, while others no longer met the eligibility criteria.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Wednesday's edition included incorrect information about King's votes.—
Tony Holt,
arkansasonline.com,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Chris Lawson from Front Row Motorsports and Billy Plourde from Rick Ware Racing were dismissed for issues related to improper weights found on their respective cars.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Diaz was placed under arrest and transported to Troop G where he was charged with criminal attempt at third-degree robbery, second-degree breach of peace and improper parking on a limited access highway.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Unsurprisingly, our hero is also incapable of speaking or thinking about subjects other than his own.—
Graham Hillard,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
-
However, a hard truth for Elon Musk to face may be that X users are largely incapable of discerning facts without relying on traditional fact-checking organizations that Musk disagrees should be the sole arbiters of truth online.—
Ashley Belanger,
Ars Technica,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This reveals Wrexham have still been creating more than the opposition, suggesting there wasn’t a lot wrong and that an upturn in individual form, as happened at Mansfield with the back three, will bring the necessary results to stay in the promotion hunt.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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According to the Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted between February 12 and 18, 53 percent of Americans believed the economy was on the wrong track, up from 43 percent in the organizations' January 24 to 26 poll.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inapt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inapt. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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