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
Perhaps there is a fable of American decline or corruption or incompetence.
—
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Military and intelligence incompetence cannot shield Netanyahu from culpability for October 7.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2024
Setting Biden’s incompetence aside, the specifics of the new financial formula mandated by Congress needlessly punish large families at a time when large families are exactly what this country needs to reverse our demographic decline.
—Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2024
Those who benefit from the disproportionate underrepresentation of women always look for signs of incompetence as an excuse to perpetuate further exclusion.
—Abiola Salami, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
This can cause feelings of incompetence, leading to self-doubt, decision paralysis and a lack of trust and safety in the relationship.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024
This should include mentoring and executive coaching so that no one is promoted to a level of incompetence.
—Jason Richmond, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Sometimes the legislative ambiguity that surrenders control is accidental — a mark of plain incompetence.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2024
Joe Biden is the first official ever to be cleared by a special counsel for reasons of mental incompetence.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
Military and intelligence incompetence cannot shield Netanyahu from culpability for October 7.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 7 Feb. 2024
Setting Biden’s incompetence aside, the specifics of the new financial formula mandated by Congress needlessly punish large families at a time when large families are exactly what this country needs to reverse our demographic decline.
—Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2024
Those who benefit from the disproportionate underrepresentation of women always look for signs of incompetence as an excuse to perpetuate further exclusion.
—Abiola Salami, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
This can cause feelings of incompetence, leading to self-doubt, decision paralysis and a lack of trust and safety in the relationship.
—Sahaj Kaur Kohli, Washington Post, 22 Feb. 2024
This should include mentoring and executive coaching so that no one is promoted to a level of incompetence.
—Jason Richmond, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Sometimes the legislative ambiguity that surrenders control is accidental — a mark of plain incompetence.
—Clive Crook, Twin Cities, 10 Feb. 2024
Joe Biden is the first official ever to be cleared by a special counsel for reasons of mental incompetence.
—Rich Lowry, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024
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 19 Apr. 2024.
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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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