Examples of incompetence in a Sentence
Because of his incompetence, we won't make our deadline.
She was fired for gross incompetence.
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2023-24, seven franchises achieved that level of incompetence, which was the first time that happened since 2007-08.
—
Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
This series takes the police to task for their indifference and incompetence while laying out the details of one of the largest manhunts in British history.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic officials who led impeachment efforts against Noem characterized her removal as necessary due to her incompetence and mismanagement, focusing on her failure to execute her duties effectively rather than framing her dismissal within broader patterns.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
This series takes the police to task for their indifference and incompetence while laying out the details of one of the largest manhunts in British history.
—Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic officials who led impeachment efforts against Noem characterized her removal as necessary due to her incompetence and mismanagement, focusing on her failure to execute her duties effectively rather than framing her dismissal within broader patterns.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetence. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s 
: the quality, state, or fact of being incompetent
Medical Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
1
: lack of legal qualification
2
: inability of an organ or part to perform its function adequately
incompetence of an aortic valve
Legal Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
in-ˈkäm-pə-təns
: the state or fact of being incompetent compare competency
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
