incompetence

noun

in·​com·​pe·​tence (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s How to pronounce incompetence (audio)
: the state or fact of being incompetent

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
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.
The history of medicine is too littered with incompetence and immorality to believe that doctors have always been worthy of this status. Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024 In a pre-dawn online news conference, an angry Sara Duterte accused Mr. Marcos of incompetence as a president and of being a liar, along with his wife and the House speaker in expletives-laden remarks. Jim Gomez, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024 Not to mention that incompetence carries its own toll for America. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 Republican politicians from Ron DeSantis to President-elect Donald Trump have used San Francisco as a byword for Democratic incompetence on crime and disorder. Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incompetence 

Word History

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incompetence was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near incompetence

Cite this Entry

“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetence. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

incompetence

noun
in·​com·​pe·​tence (ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s How to pronounce incompetence (audio)
: the quality, state, or fact of being incompetent

Medical Definition

incompetence

noun
in·​com·​pe·​tence (ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s How to pronounce incompetence (audio)
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 How to pronounce incompetence (audio)
: the state or fact of being incompetent compare competency

More from Merriam-Webster on incompetence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!