as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the astounding incompetence of the new assistant
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Recent Examples of incompetence
Wolves are the candidates this time around, displaying the admirable levels of incompetence and hopelessness that typically make for a good candidate to dip below the magic mark.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
This incompetence is portrayed painfully well on the show.
—Ginny Hogan, Parents, 17 Dec. 2025
Berry argues that this failure owes to the poor implementation of reform policies, political resistance by large landowners, and the corruption and incompetence of officials.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
While there is generally more going on than in the uneventful first movie, the sequel’s writing displays a different kind of incompetence.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Nick Miller, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
This incompetence is portrayed painfully well on the show.
—Ginny Hogan, Parents, 17 Dec. 2025
Berry argues that this failure owes to the poor implementation of reform policies, political resistance by large landowners, and the corruption and incompetence of officials.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
While there is generally more going on than in the uneventful first movie, the sequel’s writing displays a different kind of incompetence.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
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In 1949, a grand jury convened to discuss the inability of the LAPD’s homicide unit to solve murders, during which Short’s death was further investigated.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
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Sensabaugh sensation One direct byproduct of the Bulls’ inability to defend the point of attack is the possibility in any game for a relatively unknown player to rip off an ungodly amount of points.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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