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Definition of incompetent
1 : not legally qualified
2 : inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
3a : lacking the qualities needed for effective actionb : unable to function properly incompetent heart valves
incompetent
nounincompetently
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
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 of incompetent from the Web
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He was deemed incompetent to stand trial in May 2013, but that decision was reversed months later after Domino was remanded to the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System in Jackson for treatment.
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Luckily for Kushner and Trump, no one is more incompetent than Donald Trump Jr.
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The prosecution was delayed for years when Sevilla was ruled mentally incompetent to stand trial.
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The darkest point in the film comes when the young lion hero Simba’s father King Mufasa has just died and Mufasa’s corrupt and incompetent brother Scar (who’d secretly colluded in Mufasa’s untimely demise) assumes the throne.
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Committing to take over as president of the Knicks means agreeing to work for famously erratic, incompetent, meddlesome, and malcontented owner/blues musician James Dolan.
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By the second season, though, Amanda thought everyone was incompetent.
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This is an almost indecipherably incompetent piece of writing.
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Note 2: If LeBron leaves, the dream scenario would be to leave while Ohio blames it on Dan Gilbert's incompetent ownership.
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.
Origin and Etymology of incompetent
Middle French incompétent, from in- + compétent competent
Other Psychology Terms
INCOMPETENT Defined for English Language Learners
incompetent
playDefinition of incompetent for English Language Learners
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: lacking necessary ability or skills
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law : not able to take part in a trial
INCOMPETENT Defined for Kids
incompetent
playDefinition of incompetent for Students
: not able to do a good job
incompetently
adverbMedical Dictionary
incompetent
playMedical Definition of incompetent
1: not legally qualified; especially : incapable due to a mental or physical condition
2: unable to function properly incompetent heart valves
incompetently
adverbLaw Dictionary
Legal Definition of incompetent
1 : not legally qualified: as a : lacking legal capacity (as because of age or mental deficiency) b : incapable due to mental or physical condition — compare competent c : lacking authority, power, or qualifications required by law an incompetent court incompetent evidence
2 : unable or failing to perform adequately fired for being incompetent an incompetent attorney — compare ineffective assistance of counsel
incompetent
Legal Definition of incompetent
: a person who is incompetent — compare interdict
Learn More about incompetent
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for incompetent Spanish Central: Translation of incompetent Nglish: Translation of incompetent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of incompetent for Arabic speakers
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