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

There are incompetent, dishonest people in this business, as in any business. — Dave Barry, miamiherald, "Dave Barry: Sorry, I'm not feeling funny today — my heart aches for slain journalists," 29 June 2018 Until then, those who remain to face the executioner’s needle increasingly seem to be not the worst of the worst, but rather the sick and dying, the aged and infirm, the impoverished and the incompetent. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Cruelty of Executing the Sick and Elderly," 27 Feb. 2018 But while the Department of Health goes through the long process of removing a 90-year-old doctor's license, the same exams have been used to declare Calvo incompetent to stand trial on the child pornography charges from last year. — David J. Neal, miamiherald, "What could get the doctor’s child porn charges dropped also could cost him his license," 11 July 2018 Later, she was found incompetent and lawyer Eamon Guerin was appointed as her guardian and a probate judge voided the quitclaim deed. — Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Judge orders couple charged in scam not to enter elderly woman's home," 28 June 2018 His secret police managed to be incompetent and hated. — Reuel Marc Gerecht And, WSJ, "Don’t Fear Regime Change in Iran," 11 June 2018 Barton has already been evaluated by one doctor who found her incompetent to stand trial and reccomended she be sent to Florida State Hospital. — Gal Tziperman Lotan, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Woman accused of beating toddler to death not competent for trial, attorney says," 21 May 2018 In each case, charges were dismissed because he was found incompetent. — Jessica Schmidt, Cincinnati.com, "Men who saved pregnant woman from attacker: 'It was just the right thing to do'," 28 June 2018 Veterans who have been deemed mentally incompetent to manage their finances also lose their right, under federal law, to buy or own guns. — Washington Post, "Worried About Grandpa’s Guns? Here’s What You Can Do.," 25 June 2018

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.