incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
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 Trump administration has pulled the plug on a program that provides legal help to immigrants who are determined mentally incompetent, according to a lawsuit filed by immigration legal groups.
—
Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 May 2025
City Council, do the right thing for once and put it on the ballot to overturn the requirement of requiring our incompetent city management to do this.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
His defense attorney filed a notice to rely upon an insanity defense, saying Kraft had schizoaffective disorder, after he was found incompetent to stand trial in August 2021.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Speaker [Mike] Johnson's office today, don't lose sight of the fact that Mike Waltz is ALSO incompetent and continues to present a massive security liability to the United States.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 May 2025
City Council, do the right thing for once and put it on the ballot to overturn the requirement of requiring our incompetent city management to do this.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2025
His defense attorney filed a notice to rely upon an insanity defense, saying Kraft had schizoaffective disorder, after he was found incompetent to stand trial in August 2021.
—Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 17 Apr. 2025
Speaker [Mike] Johnson's office today, don't lose sight of the fact that Mike Waltz is ALSO incompetent and continues to present a massive security liability to the United States.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 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 28 May. 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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