as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the incompetency of the secretary was revealed only after she had left the company, and her successor discovered years of filing left undone
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 incompetency
Any disagreements, incompetencies, and misunderstandings will cause visible damage to your home and your mental health during the process.
—
Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
The entire public, with an average IQ of 100, was able to make an assessment of incompetency within the first three minutes or less of the debate.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2024
The judge also appointed two doctors to evaluate Ramos’ mental fitness, as part of the issue around mental incompetency, and anticipated learning the results by late August.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 29 June 2024
Under state law, only a judge can declare a person ineligible to vote due to incompetency.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
The entire public, with an average IQ of 100, was able to make an assessment of incompetency within the first three minutes or less of the debate.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2024
The judge also appointed two doctors to evaluate Ramos’ mental fitness, as part of the issue around mental incompetency, and anticipated learning the results by late August.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 29 June 2024
Under state law, only a judge can declare a person ineligible to vote due to incompetency.
—Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetency
Noun
-
The result was a late Timberwolves run and an inability to secure key stops down the stretch, sealing the game.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
-
His attorneys recently filed a motion to withdraw from the case, citing their inability to persuade him to comply with the court’s orders.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
In his remarks, Mr. Trump equated diversity with incompetence, and effectively aligned himself with people who use diversity, equity and inclusion, or D.E.I., as a proxy for race, a dog whistle for white grievance, and a catchall for societal ills.—
Jonathan Swan,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Read’s defense attorney, Alan Jackson, told the jury the collision did not happen and the investigation into Read was filled with errors, bias and incompetence.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetency. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share