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.
Throughout history, in the United States and elsewhere, the imposition of political control on a civil service has been a recipe for incompetence and anti-democratic abuse. Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 1 Nov. 2024 Eastwood’s story runs on the bedrock of the unimpeachable, confident that there is a definite truth to be discovered about an event such as the killing of Kendall and that only malevolence or incompetence could prevent its discovery. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024 The Lebanese government, whether out of incompetence, negligence, or malice, never disarmed Hezbollah within its borders following the resolution’s approval. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024 Over the coming days, the owners of Four Seasons Total Landscaping did their patriotic duty and cashed in on their temporary notoriety, selling souvenirs to commemorate the fiasco; to Trump’s detractors, the debacle epitomized the clownish incompetence that had defined his presidency. Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 3 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 23 Nov. 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

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