Synonyms
Examples of incompetence in a Sentence
Because of his incompetence, we won't make our deadline.
She was fired for gross incompetence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Moral of the story: Mongo recognized an umpire’s incompetence long before MLB finally woke up to the fact.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2024
Periodic outcries over incompetence and corruption at the top of the Russian military have dogged President Vladimir V. Putin’s war effort since the start of his invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
—Anatoly Kurmanaev, New York Times, 26 May 2024
Holding World Leaders Like Trump Accountable Is Democratic But the incompetence of civil servants wasn’t the nastiest feature of the spoils system.
—TIME, 14 May 2024
For months last year, Mr. Prigozhin railed against him in videos posted online, assailing him for incompetence in a fight for influence that ultimately ended with the mercenary leader trying to oust him in a failed uprising last summer.
—Anton Troianovski, New York Times, 12 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompetence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incompetence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1663, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to incompetence
Dictionary Entries Near incompetence
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetence. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
: the quality, state, or fact of being incompetent
Medical Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
1
: lack of legal qualification
2
: inability of an organ or part to perform its function adequately
incompetence of an aortic valve
Legal Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
in-ˈkäm-pə-təns
: the state or fact of being incompetent compare competency
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