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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetent
Neringa Klumbytė, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Like the poliziotteschi films of Fernando Di Leo (1932-2003), Portobello takes us to a country where the police, at best, are incompetent, and the criminal underworld has its tentacles in all walks of life.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
Because of the differences they are labeled as evil, incompetent, corrupt or some other trumped up charge such as antisemitic.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
If Chin finds Irving incompetent to stand trial, the case will remain paused while Irving is sent to a state hospital for treatment, with the goal of restoring his ability to understand court proceedings and aid in his own defense.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Adjective
Memes commonly portrayed Russian soldiers as incompetent, indoctrinated, or as zombies.
—Neringa Klumbytė, The Conversation, 4 Mar. 2026
Like the poliziotteschi films of Fernando Di Leo (1932-2003), Portobello takes us to a country where the police, at best, are incompetent, and the criminal underworld has its tentacles in all walks of life.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2026
Because of the differences they are labeled as evil, incompetent, corrupt or some other trumped up charge such as antisemitic.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
If Chin finds Irving incompetent to stand trial, the case will remain paused while Irving is sent to a state hospital for treatment, with the goal of restoring his ability to understand court proceedings and aid in his own defense.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetent
Adjective
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If venue personnel deem any person to be a threat, or otherwise unfit, in their sole discretion, he or she will not be permitted access and shall forfeit the prize.—
AJC.com,
AJC.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In October, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Cristina Miranda found that Conner was mentally unfit to testify in person at trial and allowed the recorded testimony, even though defense attorneys will not be able to cross-examine him in front of the jury.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
-
The venerable American clan at the center of the narrator’s reminiscences are wholly unfitted to the modern world and no longer endowed with the fortune that one of them brought home long ago on clipper ships.—
Daniel Akst,
WSJ,
2 Sep. 2022
Adjective
-
Defense attorneys for Copeland and Ucman told jurors their clients came from troubled upbringings that included abuse and bouts of homelessness, coupled with mental health issues that left them largely incapable of caring for themselves or a child.—
City News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Mar. 2026
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At that point, MRC was operating under the belief that Spacey would be incapable of appearing for the sixth season and announced his suspension the next day.—
Winston Cho,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It was founded in 1856 by French butcher Guillaume Tujague who immigrated to the United States with his wife Marie Abadie.—
Stephanie Gallman Jordan,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
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From century-old butcher counters to modern beer halls and beloved neighborhood bars, every kitchen puts its own spin on this comfort-food icon — and every Iowan has an opinion about who does it best.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For more instant gratification, grab a muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon or the end of a rolling pin).—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetent. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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