Synonyms
Examples of incompetence in a Sentence
Because of his incompetence, we won't make our deadline.
She was fired for gross incompetence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Del Giudice, in particular, is guilty of criminal incompetence.
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Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2024
Far more believable are exit polls showing that 65 percent of the people voted for the opposition, in keeping with previous opinion polls showing Venezuelans are sick of the Maduro regime’s corruption, repression and economic incompetence and want change.
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Editorial Board, Washington Post, 29 July 2024
In hours of grilling from both Republicans and Democrats, Cheatle stonewalled and further highlighted the stunning incompetence at the top of an agency with a critical zero-fail mission.
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The Editors, National Review, 23 July 2024
With the constant chorus of local police missteps, blatant professional incompetence, DA stumbles and eccentrics that has been center stage in this matter since that terrible day almost three years ago, the dismissal of the case was simultaneously shocking and not that unexpected.
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Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompetence ![](/dist-cross-dungarees/2024-08-15--15-22-11-hrh2al/images/svg/redesign/arrow-right-exemplar.svg)
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incompetence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1663, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to incompetence
Dictionary Entries Near incompetence
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetence. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Kids Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
: the quality, state, or fact of being incompetent
Medical Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s
1
: lack of legal qualification
2
: inability of an organ or part to perform its function adequately
incompetence of an aortic valve
Legal Definition
incompetence
noun
in·com·pe·tence
in-ˈkäm-pə-təns
: the state or fact of being incompetent compare competency
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