incompetently

adverb

as in poorly

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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 incompetently As was mentioned in your editorial, the Broward school district has been incompetently managed, wasteful and corrupt for years. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026 The information the city provided to win passage of a ballot measure in 2022 allowing this fee was incompetently inaccurate. — U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetently
  1. poorly
  2. ineptly
  3. inefficiently
Adverb
  • Guardrails, if installed incorrectly or poorly maintained, can kill, rather than save, motorists who crash into them.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 22 July 2026
  • Platform-first planning privileges novelty, frequency and short-term engagement—signals that are easy to measure but often poorly aligned with where wealth and decision authority truly reside.
    — Ray Lansigan, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of poorly
Adverb
  • The collapse of the Constitution’s balance of powers between three branches of government got us into an unneeded war conducted ineptly.
    — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Dancing the Poznan really ineptly, mind you, but dancing nonetheless.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of ineptly
Adverb
  • This polymer absorbs light inefficiently and breaks down quickly under continuous use.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
  • One problem that comes to mind with a fridge using two large access doors is the potential to bleed cold air and run inefficiently given the extra set of seams.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of inefficiently

Browse Nearby Words

incompetent
incompetently
incompetents
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Cite this Entry

“Incompetently.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetently. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

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