incompetent

adjective

in·com·pe·tent | \ (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt

Definition of incompetent

1 : not legally qualified

2 : inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose

3a : lacking the qualities needed for effective action

b : unable to function properly incompetent heart valves

Other Words from incompetent Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about incompetent

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Examples of incompetent in a Sentence

He is too incompetent to be trusted with such an important responsibility. The patient is mentally incompetent. The defendant was declared incompetent to stand trial.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Andia’s case, the cause was an incompetent cervix, also called cervical insufficiency. — Naseem S. Miller, orlandosentinel.com, "Infant mortality: One family’s journey after losing 16-day-old son," 8 July 2019 Kahn reminds me very much of our very dumb and incompetent Mayor of NYC, de Blasio, who has also done a terrible job – only half his height. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Trump tweets about ‘fantastic’ state visit with the Queen," 3 June 2019 The hospital primarily houses people charged with crimes but found incompetent to stand trial. — Sukey Lewis, The Mercury News, "Excessive use of force by police chief’s son leads to arrest of patient at Napa State Hospital," 19 June 2019 Everyone is afraid to be seen as incompetent, but true incompetence is not knowing and still acting without consultation. — Janet Mock, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Pose' Writer-Producer: What I Learned From My First Directing Experience (Guest Column)," 7 June 2019 Local authorities were incompetent, especially the mayor, Ray Nagin (who later went to prison for tax evasion, fraud, and bribery). — Garry Wills, The New York Review of Books, "The City That Wouldn’t Die," 4 Apr. 2019 Thus a completely incompetent agreement with haulers that should never have existed in the first place. — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, "Soucheray: Trash-collection ruling is a lesson for St. Paul, but city isn’t listening," 8 June 2019 Yet the greatest threat to U.S. interests may come from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s incompetent economic management. — The Editorial Page, WSJ, "The Turkish Contagion Risk," 22 May 2019 The original trial attorney seemed terribly incompetent. — Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Woman's Day, "The Real Story Behind the Musical 'Chicago'," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incompetent.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.