incompetence

noun

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

: the state or fact of being incompetent

Synonyms of incompetence

• 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 only thing worse than the report explaining that the party is wrong on policy is the appearance of incompetence at evaluating what went wrong in 2024. —Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 23 May 2026

The Golden Knights need not apologize for the bad luck and incompetence of others. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 May 2026

Workers resisted him with false reports of incompetence, machine sabotage, and especially social pressure—something that worked on new recruits but not on Taylor himself. —Literary Hub, 12 May 2026

During Walker’s oral exams, Stoner exposes his incompetence. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 May 2026

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