as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the astounding incompetence of the new assistant
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetence
Beyond Venezuelan incompetence, American pressure and fears of uncontrollable escalation may be driving Chinese caution.
—
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Until Thursday, Jerry Jones’ incompetence was reserved for Netflix.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025
These aren’t stories about incompetence.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Corruption at the community school board level was far too common, with funds misused and hiring practices delivering incompetence.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Wesley Alexander Hill, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Until Thursday, Jerry Jones’ incompetence was reserved for Netflix.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 29 Aug. 2025
These aren’t stories about incompetence.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2025
Corruption at the community school board level was far too common, with funds misused and hiring practices delivering incompetence.
—Stanley S. Litow, New York Daily News, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
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Overuse of the members of Generation K — Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson — during their rookie seasons is often blamed for the trio’s inability to stay healthy and effective.—
Jerry Beach,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Roberts pointed to the Dodgers’ inability to support Yamamoto with more than one run against 42-year-old Justin Verlander – on a solo home run by Michael Conforto in the seventh inning – as part of the problem.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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