incompetent

adjective

in·com·pe·tent (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt

Synonyms of incompetent next

: lacking the qualities needed for effective action

: unable to function properly

incompetent heart valves

: not legally qualified

: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose

incompetent noun

incompetently adverb

Example Sentences

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 September, 394 inmates determined to be mentally incompetent cost the county about $5.55 million in medications, food and care. —

Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022 County staff estimate a year of reserving these beds will help 113 inmates determined to be incompetent to stand trial. —

Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022 But a judge dismissed the case when McQuaig was determined to be mentally incompetent to stand trial. —

Diane Bellcolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2022 The news of Mendel's departure comes less than a month after he was placed on administrative leave, amid allegations of incompetent management and bullying behavior. —

Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 19 Dec. 2022 He was initially declared incompetent to stand trial. —

Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 8 Dec. 2022 More than half had a history of mental illness or had been declared incompetent, according to Sarah V. Wood, the general counsel for the public defender’s office. —

Shaila Dewan, New York Times, 22 Nov. 2022 This incompetent Biden administration is somehow trying to spin the loss of the House and the possible loss of the Senate as a victory. —

WSJ, 14 Nov. 2022 At the same time, the Russian brigades rolling toward Kyiv were getting bogged down by poor leadership, incompetent logistics and of course a determined Ukrainian defense. —

David Axe, Forbes, 10 Nov. 2022 See More

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.