incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action : lacking necessary ability or skills
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
After hearing psychiatrist … witnesses … the court found Edwards incompetent to stand trial …—
Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164 (2008)
Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164 (2008)3
: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
incompetent
noun
incompetently
adverb
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
The man accused of fatally shooting longtime American Idol music supervisor Robin Kaye and her musician husband, Thomas Deluca, was declared incompetent to stand trial at a morning hearing on Thursday.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Under California law, people who are found incompetent to stand trial must be sent to a state hospital or secure mental health care facility.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
He was found to be incompetent to face the charge in August 2023, and later civilly committed for a mental illness.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Their corrupt and incompetent government and feckless international institutions have been totally unable to protect them.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 13 Nov. 2025
Under California law, people who are found incompetent to stand trial must be sent to a state hospital or secure mental health care facility.
—Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
He was found to be incompetent to face the charge in August 2023, and later civilly committed for a mental illness.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2025
Their corrupt and incompetent government and feckless international institutions have been totally unable to protect them.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
1
: not legally qualified
especially
: incapable due to a mental or physical condition
2
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
incompetently
adverb
Legal Definition
incompetent
1 of 2 adjective
in·com·pe·tent
in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt
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
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is incompetent compare interdict
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