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
Some fans see the early results from ABS as proof umpires are incompetent.
—Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Trump’s outbursts bespoke the frustration of a thoroughly incompetent ruler who began a war with no plan for how to conduct or conclude it and was unprepared for Iran’s resistance.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Waybourn said 62 people in Tarrant County Jail were in a similar situation as Fraraccio, where they had been deemed incompetent to stand trial and were awaiting placement in a state facility.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
However, most of these films depicted Latinos as either incompetent or villains.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Trump’s outbursts bespoke the frustration of a thoroughly incompetent ruler who began a war with no plan for how to conduct or conclude it and was unprepared for Iran’s resistance.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
Waybourn said 62 people in Tarrant County Jail were in a similar situation as Fraraccio, where they had been deemed incompetent to stand trial and were awaiting placement in a state facility.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Apr. 2026
However, most of these films depicted Latinos as either incompetent or villains.
—Jared Bahir Browsh, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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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