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
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
The government has, in turn, brushed off the criticism and at times accused the main opposition of incompetence that has hindered reconstruction that seems to be progressing more quickly elsewhere.
—Scott McLean, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024
There are currently no effective treatments for severe CVI of the deep vein system caused by valvular incompetence and the Company estimates that there are approximately 2.5 million new patients each year in the U.S. that could be candidates for the VenoValve.
—Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024
Ukraine has virtually no navy of its own, but technological innovation, audacity and Russian incompetence have given it the upper hand in much of the Black Sea.
—Tim Lister and Victoria Butenko, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024
Israel can’t accept this, given the authority’s corruption, incompetence and unpopularity in Gaza and the West Bank.
—Seth Cropsey, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023
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 28 Mar. 2024.
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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