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
If making the boss look bad by virtue of sheer incompetence isn't a fireable offense in Trumpworld anymore, what is?
—
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Cowardly, unaccountable, pathetic: How much more does anyone really need to know about the incompetence of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System than something that was reported a week ago?
—Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
Yet, whether through gross incompetence, woeful indifference, or some combination thereof, that is exactly what is happening right now in Gaza under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Similarly, Infrastructure Capital Advisors CEO Jay Hatfield accused Powell of gross incompetence by being too late to raise rates but also blasted the idea of the Fed slashing rates to 1%.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Cowardly, unaccountable, pathetic: How much more does anyone really need to know about the incompetence of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System than something that was reported a week ago?
—Chris Powell, Hartford Courant, 4 Aug. 2025
Yet, whether through gross incompetence, woeful indifference, or some combination thereof, that is exactly what is happening right now in Gaza under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025
Similarly, Infrastructure Capital Advisors CEO Jay Hatfield accused Powell of gross incompetence by being too late to raise rates but also blasted the idea of the Fed slashing rates to 1%.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
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Part of the scene’s inability to keep the conveyor belt of stars rolling is that the infrastructure that built old Atlanta isn’t as strong, with gentrification and heavy policing uprooting the city’s cultural landscape.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
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In April, Bill Owens, the executive producer of 60 Minutes, resigned, citing his inability to make decisions free from corporate control.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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