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

Conventional approaches to storm forecasting involve large numerical simulations run on supercomputers incorporating mountains of observational data, and they still often result in inaccurate or incomplete predictions.

From Science Daily

The parents of a student who killed herself after receiving inaccurate exam results are calling for universities to provide better support.

From BBC

However, considering the ongoing public discussion - which has included some inaccurate information - it is important to note that the sanction was for two matches only, with an additional four matches suspended.

From BBC

MI5 showed "institutional defensiveness rather than candour" after the Manchester Arena attack and for years continued to present an "inaccurate picture" of what it had known about the suicide bomber, a tribunal has been told.

From BBC

The potential for damagingly inaccurate outputs is heightened by AI bots’ natural language capabilities, with which they offer even absurdly inaccurate answers with convincingly cocksure elan.

From Los Angeles Times

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.