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Home/USA Today Rootonym/Incompetent or generally awkward; lacking skill for a particular task; maladroit (adjective)
Incompetent or generally awkward; lacking skill for a particular task; maladroit (adjective)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “Incompetent or generally awkward; lacking skill for a particular task; maladroit (adjective)”? The solution is INEPT, a 5-letter word built on the root EPT (“fit, join”). It appeared in the October 26, 2026 (Monday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
Answer
INEPT
**EPTEPTmeans “fit, join”
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In a sentence
Since Don was INEPT at balancing his online account, he hired a service to help him.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “Incompetent or generally awkward; lacking skill for a particular task; maladroit (adjective)” has the answer INEPT (5 letters), built on the root EPT, which means “fit, join”. Browse the full October 26, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.
Related clues from this puzzle
Natural inclination, ability or bent: talent; capacity, readiness and quickness in learning (noun)
Suitability and fitness to readily change oneself to different conditions; capable of individual adjustments (noun)
To try again to make suitable to requirements or conditions; to adjust or modify once more (verb)
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