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ineptness

ineptness

3 6.4
Lack of skill that makes someone do things badly
  • noun
  • /ɪˈnɛptnəs/
translation icon : ineptitud
  • Her ineptness with technology made it hard for her to complete the assignment.

And part of the inside straight he pulled was the ineptness of the opposition.

Examples

  • I do actually agree with you on American ineptness in civil administration in foreign countries.

    Blog text (31)
  • One reason for this lack of integration appears to be due to the ineptness of instructors in the area of technology integration into the classroom.

    Academic text (2013)
  • And part of the inside straight he pulled was the ineptness of the opposition.

  • His shooting, especially in big moments, and ineptness at shot creation were always his biggest challenges.

    Blog text (13)
  • The defense was on the field the whole half because of the ineptness of the offense.

    Blog text (18)
  • I have yet to hear AS use his early years of injury and coaching ineptness as an excuse.

    Blog text (22)
  • Judicial ineptness is a universal curse.

  • No Green Giant, the only thing that Bush has demonstrated is his complete ineptness as a leader.

    Blog text (5)
  • The response or the lack thereof was all just to cover up Obama's ineptness when it comes to foreign affairs.

    Blog text (28)
  • And, because of their mismanagement, ineptness, and downright stupidity, they rode it into the ground.

    Blog text (13)

Synonyms

inability
vsineptness
177 2.8

Not able to do something you need to do

is the general lack of skill rather than short-term failure to act
incompetence
vsineptness
92 4.4

Failing to do a job well because of lack of skill

is the general quality of lacking skill rather than task failure
ineptitude
vsineptness
18 7.4

A lack of skill that makes someone do tasks badly

is a general lack of skill not tied to training or experience
incompetency
vsineptness
3 6.8

Lack of ability to do a job or task well

is the broad quality of lacking skill rather than limits on task performance
clumsiness
vsineptness
1 2.6

Lack of skill or care when handling things so mistakes happen

is the wider quality of lacking skill beyond movement
awkwardness
vsineptness
1 3.6

Lack of skill or grace when moving, often causing trips

is the general lack of skill rather than only poor movement
unskillfulness
vsineptness
6.6

A state of not being good at doing something

is the same meaning but differs only in word form
skillessness
vsineptness
8.9

A lack of ability to do something well

is the same sense expressed with a different formation
maladroitness
vsineptness
9.8

A lack of skill that makes a person act clumsily

is the broader absence of skill not limited to physical dexterity
nonproficiency
vsineptness
7.9

Not enough skill to do something well

is the general lack of skill without emphasis on meeting standards
inaptitude
vsineptness
  • Formal
8.2

Lack of ability to do a task or job well

is the broad lack of skill not limited to a specific activity
unfitness
vsineptness
6.0

Not able or qualified to do a job

is the general lack of skill rather than physical strength or formal qualification
incapableness
vsineptness
7.4

A lack of ability to do something

is the quality of lacking skill rather than the condition of being unable
talentlessness
vsineptness
7.9

A lack of natural skill in an activity

is the lack of learned skill or competence rather than innate talent

Antonyms

69 4.1

Ability to do a task well because of skill and knowledge

A quality of being very good at doing something

How Skilled

mastery
37 4.2
expertise
302 4.9
competence
69 4.1
ineptness
3 6.4
incompetence
92 4.4

Surface Forms

ineptness singular
ineptnesses plural

Morphology

ineptness = inept (transparent) = inept + ness

Formed by a regular noun-forming suffix '-ness' from the familiar adjective 'inept', so the meaning is directly the state of being inept.

Etymology

Ineptness comes from in- 'not' and apt 'fit', the same root as the short word apt. So, ineptness is 'not fit' for a task, which explains its modern meaning of lack of skill or ability.