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
The wrath of the heavens, local Libyans contend, was matched by the incompetence of those calling the shots on the ground.
—
Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
In the months leading up to the mutiny that shook Putin’s image as an unassailable leader, Prigozhin had mocked and criticized Russia’s top military brass for their incompetence throughout the war in Ukraine, where Wagner had become an essential fighting force.
—Henry Austin, NBC News, 23 Aug. 2023
Severe aging health issues and/or mental health incompetence in our nation’s leaders MUST be addressed.
—Ella Sherman, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
The news comes after family and friends of Weiser and Bickwit called for the creation of a multiagency task force following decades of police incompetence, misfeasance, and neglect.
—Eric J. Greenberg, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2023
In its statement, Hawaiian Electric alleges that fire department incompetence led to the destruction of Lahaina,not its own neglect.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2023
But none of that feedback indicates gross incompetence or self-dealing.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
For months before the mutiny, Prigozhin mocked and criticized Russia’s top military brass, accusing them of incompetence throughout the war in Ukraine.
—NBC News, 23 Aug. 2023
But besides making hay out of incompetence, the Mischief team also seems to have put this show together as a testament to how actors can improvise on the fly, under extreme duress, as many of the characters do here.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
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Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
In the months leading up to the mutiny that shook Putin’s image as an unassailable leader, Prigozhin had mocked and criticized Russia’s top military brass for their incompetence throughout the war in Ukraine, where Wagner had become an essential fighting force.
—Henry Austin, NBC News, 23 Aug. 2023
Severe aging health issues and/or mental health incompetence in our nation’s leaders MUST be addressed.
—Ella Sherman, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023
The news comes after family and friends of Weiser and Bickwit called for the creation of a multiagency task force following decades of police incompetence, misfeasance, and neglect.
—Eric J. Greenberg, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2023
In its statement, Hawaiian Electric alleges that fire department incompetence led to the destruction of Lahaina,not its own neglect.
—Evan Halper, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 2023
But none of that feedback indicates gross incompetence or self-dealing.
—David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2023
For months before the mutiny, Prigozhin mocked and criticized Russia’s top military brass, accusing them of incompetence throughout the war in Ukraine.
—NBC News, 23 Aug. 2023
But besides making hay out of incompetence, the Mischief team also seems to have put this show together as a testament to how actors can improvise on the fly, under extreme duress, as many of the characters do here.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2023
See More
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 2 Oct. 2023.
Copy Citation
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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