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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
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
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
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetency
Noun
-
Maybe that’s part of what fuels the visible frustration — an inability to be a bigger part of the solution.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Due to the unexpected medical fees and her inability to work in schools because of her diagnosis, her friend created a GoFundMe to help raise money for her treatment.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
No wonder de Lesseps became a national pariah whose name was synonymous with dishonest incompetence.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Being berated by your boss for your incompetence and having a bunch of strangers laugh at you is true nightmare fuel.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetency. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share