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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Recent Examples of incompetency
Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.
—
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The National Geographic series dives into footage and narratives from officials leading the disaster response at the time, revealing incompetencies and false information from the media that cost locals their lives.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Portalatin’s petition seeks to remove Wilder and Saenz using a statute in the Texas Local Government Code that allows for citizens to seek public officials’ removal due to incompetency, official misconduct or drunkenness both on and off duty.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The National Geographic series dives into footage and narratives from officials leading the disaster response at the time, revealing incompetencies and false information from the media that cost locals their lives.
—Sam Gillette, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Portalatin’s petition seeks to remove Wilder and Saenz using a statute in the Texas Local Government Code that allows for citizens to seek public officials’ removal due to incompetency, official misconduct or drunkenness both on and off duty.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for incompetency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetency
Noun
-
The addition was a prompt injection, a form of AI attack that exploits an LLM’s inability to distinguish between legitimate user prompts and those from unauthorized, potentially malicious third parties.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
28 May 2026
-
Simon had been in the role for less than a year, after Bill Owens resigned last spring, citing the inability to enjoy editorial independence without corporate influence.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
This is not an office known for its incompetence.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Not using it signals incompetence; using it signals very little.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incompetency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetency. Accessed 2 Jun. 2026.
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