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
Read: Iran’s stunning incompetence Tehran is a dense city of 9.8 million.
—
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Read’s lawyers say the police investigation was marred by bias and incompetence.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Not surprisingly, its 2025 proxy statement reveals the toxic governance triumvirate – incentives, incompetence and indifference – that lures troublesome attention from both hackers and activists.
—Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The defense’s case largely rests on accusations that the investigation into O’Keefe’s death was mired by deceit, incompetence and bias.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 16 June 2025
Read’s lawyers say the police investigation was marred by bias and incompetence.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 29 May 2025
Not surprisingly, its 2025 proxy statement reveals the toxic governance triumvirate – incentives, incompetence and indifference – that lures troublesome attention from both hackers and activists.
—Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The defense’s case largely rests on accusations that the investigation into O’Keefe’s death was mired by deceit, incompetence and bias.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
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Fever head coach Stephanie White was upset with how the referees officiated the game and about the inability to take control.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2025
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Predicate orders are based on the abandonment, abuse or neglect of that child by one or both parents, and the inability to reunify with one or both parents, based on those findings.—
Taylor Romine,
CNN Money,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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