incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
3
: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
incompetent
noun
incompetently
adverb
Examples of incompetent in a Sentence
He is too incompetent to be trusted with such an important responsibility.
The patient is mentally incompetent.
The defendant was declared incompetent to stand trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
On what planet would anyone buy this team and let that incompetent non- entity have any role ?
—
Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Thank you to El Salvador and, in particular, President Bukele, for your understanding of this horrible situation, which was allowed to happen to the United States because of incompetent Democrat leadership.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Until him, no U.S. president has been so incompetent in putting his own ideas into practice.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
The always-bold, always-hyper Daffy is incorrigibly incompetent, while shy milquetoast Porky is too busy nursing a crush on beautiful gum-flavor scientist Petunia Pig (voiced by Candi Milo) to ever really accomplish much.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
Thank you to El Salvador and, in particular, President Bukele, for your understanding of this horrible situation, which was allowed to happen to the United States because of incompetent Democrat leadership.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
Until him, no U.S. president has been so incompetent in putting his own ideas into practice.
—Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
The always-bold, always-hyper Daffy is incorrigibly incompetent, while shy milquetoast Porky is too busy nursing a crush on beautiful gum-flavor scientist Petunia Pig (voiced by Candi Milo) to ever really accomplish much.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
1
: not legally qualified
especially
: incapable due to a mental or physical condition
2
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
incompetently
adverb
Legal Definition
incompetent
1 of 2 adjective
in·com·pe·tent
in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt
1
: not legally qualified: as
a
: lacking legal capacity (as because of age or mental deficiency)
b
: incapable due to mental or physical condition compare competent
c
: lacking authority, power, or qualifications required by law
an incompetent court
incompetent evidence
2
: unable or failing to perform adequately
fired for being incompetent
an incompetent attorney
compare ineffective assistance of counsel
incompetent
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is incompetent compare interdict
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