inapt, inept, unapt

inapt, inept, unapt
Inapt and inept mean "not apt," "not fitting," "without aptitude or capacity": "This person is inapt in computing the sales tax on purchases." "Tom is a good mechanic, but he is inept in keeping customers satisfied." Inapt and inept share such approximate synonyms as unsuited, inappropriate, awkward, and clumsy. The exact opposite (antonym) of inapt is capable; that of inept is suited. Inapt is more commonly used than inept in the meanings indicated above. Unapt also has meanings of "inappropriate" and "unsuitable" but is more often used to mean "not likely" or "not disposed": "The supervisor is unapt to let you leave early."

Dictionary of problem words and expressions. . 1975.

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  • unapt — See inapt. See inapt, inept, unapt …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • inept — See inapt. See inapt, inept, unapt …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • inapt — See inapt, inept, unapt …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • Inapt — In*apt , a. [Pref. in not + apt: cf. F. inapte. Cf. {Inept}.] Unapt; not apt; unsuitable; inept. {In*apt ly}, adv. {In*apt ness}, n. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • unapt — index disproportionate, impertinent (irrelevant), inadept, inadequate, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate …   Law dictionary

  • inapt — I adjective at variance, clashing, discordant, discrepant, disproportionate, dissonant, ill adapted, ill suited, ill timed, impolitic, improper, inaccordant, inadmissible, inadvisable, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, incompatible,… …   Law dictionary

  • inept — [adj1] clumsy, unskilled; incompetent all thumbs*, artless, awkward, bumbling, bungling, butterfingers*, gauche, halting, inadept, incapable, incompetent, inefficient, inexpert, loser, maladroit, unapt, undexterous, unfacile, ungraceful, unhandy …   New thesaurus

  • inept — I (incompetent) adjective awkward, blundering, bungling, clumsy, disqualified, foolish, ignorant, ill qualified, impotent, inadept, inadequate, inapt, incapable, incompetent, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, inefficient, ineptus, inexpert …   Law dictionary

  • inept — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) adj. incompetent, unskilled, clumsy, all thumbs. See unskillfulness, folly, inelegance. Ant., skillful. II (Roget s IV) modif. 1. [Unsuitable] Syn. not adapted, inappropriate, out of place; see unfit 2 …   English dictionary for students

  • unapt — I (Roget s IV) modif. 1. [Not fitting or suitable] Syn. unfit, out of keeping, inappropriate; see unsuitable . 2. [Not likely] Syn. improbable, not inclined, doubtful; see unlikely . 3. [Not skillful] Syn. slow, dull, unskillful, inept; see dull… …   English dictionary for students

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