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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetency
If Black and Middlebrooks plan to make that challenge, their lawyers must file petitions alleging incompetency between May 27-29 for Black and between July 7-9 for Middlebrooks.
—
Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Mar. 2025
When pressed on such timelines during a Senate hearing in December 2024, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reiterated the issue isn’t a matter of corruption or incompetency, but federal support.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025
It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Brown signed an incompetency finding last Wednesday.
—Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Mar. 2025
When pressed on such timelines during a Senate hearing in December 2024, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reiterated the issue isn’t a matter of corruption or incompetency, but federal support.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2025
It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Brown signed an incompetency finding last Wednesday.
—Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetency
Noun
-
Irankunda’s goal was the result of Niko Sigur’s carelessness with the ball in Canada’s own half, and Luc de Fougerolles’ inability to clear the ball as well.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Announcement of the school’s closing in 2014 was prompted by its inability to make payroll.—
Jan Goldsmith,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Legendary actress Vanessa Paradis turns in a remarkable performance as Anne, the director who takes it upon herself to investigate the murders after running up against police incompetence.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
-
He may be frustrated by the lack of basic defensive discipline and shape and Messi may shake his head at the incompetence behind him, but the choices made in roster construction just can’t always be compensated for by the boys from Barcelona.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetency. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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