Inapt — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Inapt (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation

   "an inapt but well-meaning attempt to inject some humor into the proceedings"

   similar: amiss, graceless, improper, inapposite, inappropriate, incongruous, incorrect, indecorous, inept, infelicitous, malapropos, perverse, unapt, unbecoming, unfit, unhappy, unseemly, unsuitable, untoward, wrong, out of place, out of the way
   related: inopportune, unfortunate, unseasonable, untimely, extraneous, immaterial, inapplicable, irrelative, irrelevant, misbecoming, mismatched, incompatible, inconsistent, uncongenial, bad, naughty, sinful, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, banned, barred, disallowed, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, awkward, gauche, ungraceful, unacceptable, unsatisfactory
   opposite: appropriate, becoming, befitting, correct, decorous, felicitous, fit, fitting, genteel, happy, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable
   near: fortunate, opportune, seasonable, timely, applicable, apposite, apropos, apt, germane, material, pat, pointed, relative, relevant, compatible, congenial, harmonious, allowed, authorized, permitted, approved, endorsed, kosher, licensed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, supported, acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, tolerable, commendable, creditable, exemplary, blameless, irreproachable, balanced, companionate, congruous, consonant

2. 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"

   similar: incapable, incompetent, inept, inexpert, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, unskilled, unskillful
   related: ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, amateurish, callow, dilettantish, green, inexperienced, raw, unprofessional, unequipped, unprepared, untrained, useless, worthless, disqualified, ineligible, wanting
   opposite: able, capable, competent, expert, fit, qualified, skilled, skillful, ultracompetent
   near: prepared, ready, trained, overqualified, accomplished, ace, adept, consummate, crack, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, virtuoso, all-around, protean, versatile