incompetence

noun

in·​com·​pe·​tence (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s 

: the state or fact of being incompetent

Synonyms

• inability

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

The board meeting, including the line of people so eager to praise Battle and silence her critics, was all so hard to watch, and not just because of the egregious display of incompetence by whomever concocted such a terrible plan. —Andrea Williams, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Aug. 2025

Secondly, and speaking of incompetence, Antoni is wholly unqualified. —S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2025

By preemptively pledging annual raises, Lamont has not only surrendered leverage but also transformed negotiations into a political giveaway, raising questions of incompetence — or worse. —Frank Ricci, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2025

California’s particular debt predicament stems from $32 billion in fraudulent UI claims due to the incompetence of Julie Su, Newsom’s secretary the Labor and Workforce Development Agency from 2019-21. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incompetence

• competence

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