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
Republicans stand in solidarity, voting for incompetent Cabinet picks, while Democrats are barred from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development building, which Musk shut down.
—
Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
The difference in expertise is often shocking, which is one reason so many appeals cite incompetent representation.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Coleman was deemed incompetent to stand trial in October 2023, PEOPLE previously reported.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Stratton was deemed incompetent to stand trial in a separate murder case that occurred after DeLisa's homicide and involved the murder of a man in Pueblo, Colorado, according to Mason.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
The difference in expertise is often shocking, which is one reason so many appeals cite incompetent representation.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
Coleman was deemed incompetent to stand trial in October 2023, PEOPLE previously reported.
—Kirsty Hatcher, People.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Stratton was deemed incompetent to stand trial in a separate murder case that occurred after DeLisa's homicide and involved the murder of a man in Pueblo, Colorado, according to Mason.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 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 3 Mar. 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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