as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
an incompetent carpenter had built the deck, and the railings were loose already
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetent
Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 18 July 2025
Initially, doctors suspected an incompetent cervix, but later discovered the cause was a prolapsed cord.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 17 July 2025
Taylor has intellectual disability and was found incompetent for trial several times before.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Noun
He was found incompetent to stand trial, which in the state of Colorado, means he must be released from custody, Padden's office told Fox News Digital earlier this month.
—Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 22 July 2025
Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 18 July 2025
Initially, doctors suspected an incompetent cervix, but later discovered the cause was a prolapsed cord.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 17 July 2025
Taylor has intellectual disability and was found incompetent for trial several times before.
—Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetent
Adjective
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The 41-year-old was taken to the hospital after the flight landed and was later arrested on suspicion of being unfit for duty, per the statement.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Communication tools are a major friction point, with two-thirds of workers finding their current solutions unfit for purpose, and almost half perceiving them as designed exclusively for office staff.—
Melody Brue,
Forbes.com,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
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Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Aug. 2025
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However, the misconception that neurodivergent people, especially people on the spectrum, are incapable, unable or uninterested in finding and cherishing love hasn’t completely left popular imagination.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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One of the butchers returned with a 20-gauge shotgun.—
Bennet Goldstein,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
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Whose former city attorney, Michael Gates, sued California to keep out of his hometown everything from sanctuary state policies to affordable housing mandates and is now a deputy U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights, which is like putting a butcher in charge of a vegan picnic?—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetent. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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