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
Online, Black folks are constantly having this sort of public-private conversation about global current events, the federal administration’s dangerous incompetence, and democratic backsliding at all levels of governance.
—
Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
Investigators found widespread fraud and incompetence in the tax prep industry.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2026
The only thing that explains this is both a cover-up and incompetence at the DOJ.
—Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
The state Board of Dentistry suspended Kamel, who was accused of incompetence after putting two patients through elaborate implant surgeries that failed, leading to painful infections.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
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Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
Investigators found widespread fraud and incompetence in the tax prep industry.
—Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2026
The only thing that explains this is both a cover-up and incompetence at the DOJ.
—Mishal Husain, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
The state Board of Dentistry suspended Kamel, who was accused of incompetence after putting two patients through elaborate implant surgeries that failed, leading to painful infections.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetence. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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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