as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the astounding incompetence of the new assistant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of incompetence
But Oakland residents who have dealt with decades of incompetence at City Hall shouldn’t have their hopes up.
—
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
Meanwhile, the pissy, frustrated lawman (Kenneth Tobey) trying to coordinate the manhunt has to deal with abject incompetence and mind-boggling bureaucracy, as well as his own desire to relive his youth.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Iran — at the popular level — has always struck me as one of the most pro-American countries in the region, precisely because the government is so resented for corruption, hypocrisy and economic incompetence.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
This position does not mean in any way ignoring four decades of mismanagement, corruption, oppression, tyranny and incompetence of the Islamic Republic.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025
Meanwhile, the pissy, frustrated lawman (Kenneth Tobey) trying to coordinate the manhunt has to deal with abject incompetence and mind-boggling bureaucracy, as well as his own desire to relive his youth.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Iran — at the popular level — has always struck me as one of the most pro-American countries in the region, precisely because the government is so resented for corruption, hypocrisy and economic incompetence.
—Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 24 June 2025
This position does not mean in any way ignoring four decades of mismanagement, corruption, oppression, tyranny and incompetence of the Islamic Republic.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
-
Louis Thuillier was distraught by his inability to know the plight of his subjects; to view the photographs from the distance of a century can imbue the viewer with a similar melancholy.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
-
Stevenson should be able to take advantage of Zepeda's inability to stave off jabs.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share