inaccurate

[ in-ak-yer-it ]

adjective

1. not accurate; incorrect or untrue.

   Synonyms: faulty, wrong, erroneous, loose, inexact

Other Words From

• in·accu·rate·ly adverb
• in·accu·rate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inaccurate¹

First recorded in 1730–40; in- ³ + accurate

Example Sentences

I have it on right now and it suggests the tone of this post is “concerned,” which isn’t totally inaccurate.

From Popular-Science

Eitan Hersh, a professor at Tufts who testified to Congress after the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2016, believes the data—particularly the modeled attributes—is inaccurate to the point of hindering its usefulness for campaigns.

From MIT Technology Review

However, because protecting the Ethics process is an imperative for the Party I can say that it would be inaccurate to say that the complaint is closed or that no action was taken.

From Voice of San Diego

Both the hardware and software need to be improved over time to reduce inaccurate predictions, and Steindorfer argues that the whole system needs to be thought of as a continued work in progress.

From MIT Technology Review

You can imagine why it’s important to identify the difference between accurate and inaccurate statistical discrimination.

From Freakonomics

It would be inaccurate though to call SIX a direct antidote to ALEC.

From The Daily Beast

“The Commission did not instruct Mr. Wright to approve inaccurate wellbore completion reports,” according to the letter.

From The Daily Beast

Yes, 2014 was a big Republican win, but this idea that Obama showed exceptional weakness in the midterms is simply inaccurate.

From The Daily Beast

Others have found its portrayal of Southern life offensive, exploitative, or inaccurate.

From The Daily Beast

She slammed the media, saying the coverage has been scant and inaccurate.

From The Daily Beast

His works were popular for a time, until they were discovered to be very inaccurate, and carelessly compiled.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Haywood is evidently inaccurate in writing evristic, which is wrong in Greek as well as in German and English.

From Project Gutenberg

The history of the late session was known to the Spaniards principally by inaccurate reports brought by Irish friars.

From Project Gutenberg

Zoe never had a brother, so the relationship, at all events, is inaccurate.

From Project Gutenberg

Williams had shown himself to be an inaccurate conveyancer in the drafting of the original deed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• defective
• false
• faulty
• imprecise
• incorrect
• mistaken
• unreliable
• untrue
• wrong

More About Inaccurate

What does inaccurate mean?

Inaccurate describes something that is incorrect, false, or not quite right, as in I came home at 9:30 last night, so saying I was out all night is inaccurate.

Inaccurate is the opposite of accurate, which describes something being free of defects or errors. You might describe a scale is inaccurate if it doesn’t show the precise weight of something.

Inaccurate can also describe something that is wrong or untrue. You could claim that the lie your brother told about you is inaccurate, especially if there’s a bit of truth in what he said but overall it’s wrong.

Example: The results of the test were inaccurate, but they can be used to improve the next one.

Where does inaccurate come from?

The first records of the term inaccurate come from around 1730. It combines the Latin prefix in–, which has a negative force, and the Latin accūrātus, meaning “carefully prepared.”

Inaccurate can mean “imprecise” in the sense that the thing being described is not perfectly correct. However, imprecise can also mean “vague or ill-defined,” while inaccurate does not. Being precise with your word choice will help to speak and write more accurately, which other people will appreciate.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to inaccurate?

• inaccurately (adverb)
• inaccurateness (noun)

What are some synonyms for inaccurate?

• defective
• false
• faulty
• incorrect
• untrue

What are some words that share a root or word element with inaccurate? 

• accurate
• accurize
• accurately

What are some words that often get used in discussing inaccurate?

• counterfactual
• discrepant
• false
• imprecise
• unsound

How is inaccurate used in real life?

Inaccurate is often used in research or education.

i’m no longer bothered by inaccurate perceptions of me. i just live my life w kindness and honesty. that’s all we can do.

— Andrea Russett (@AndreaRussett) July 11, 2019

Just confirmed from Roc Nation — The reports of Jay-Z setting up funds for Nipsey's kids are inaccurate.

Please don't spread it. In these sensitive times, folks (especially celebs/artists) should double verify the source before posting something.

— Navjosh (@Navjosh) April 4, 2019

MEDIA: Reports of looting are inaccurate & unnecessarily put our community on edge. Please refrain from erroneous reporting at this time.

— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) September 10, 2017

 

Try using inaccurate!

Is inaccurate used correctly in the following sentence?

The speaker claimed that the sun rises in the west, which is inaccurate.