as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
an incompetent carpenter had built the deck, and the railings were loose already
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of incompetent
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025
The bankruptcy trustee, Fred Stevens, blamed Marshall’s insolvency on incompetent business practices and borrowing from people at above-market rates.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
The federal government and most states – with some variations – restrict firearm ownership in cases where a person was declared incompetent by a court, faced a restraining order, involuntarily committed or deemed a danger to themselves or others due to a mental illness, Chittum said.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
This is especially true given that LA is effectively bankrupt and possesses a sorry history of incompetent governance.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Noun
Obama’s unlikely rise and decisive victory were best explained as the products of a singular political talent, a politically incompetent primary opponent and, most of all, backlash against the Iraq War and the financial panic of 2008.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025
The bankruptcy trustee, Fred Stevens, blamed Marshall’s insolvency on incompetent business practices and borrowing from people at above-market rates.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025
The federal government and most states – with some variations – restrict firearm ownership in cases where a person was declared incompetent by a court, faced a restraining order, involuntarily committed or deemed a danger to themselves or others due to a mental illness, Chittum said.
—Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2025
This is especially true given that LA is effectively bankrupt and possesses a sorry history of incompetent governance.
—Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetent
Adjective
-
Bolton, who served in President Donald Trump’s first term, has become a vocal critic of the administration’s foreign policy and called the president unfit to serve.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
-
Trump continues to dismiss Bolton as disloyal and ineffective, while Bolton has positioned himself as one of Trump's fiercest Republican critics, arguing that the former president is unfit for office and a danger to national security.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Khaleda Rahman
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
-
Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Adjective
-
This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Aug. 2025
-
Unfortunately, however, those eyes are incapable of seeing.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The modern space includes stainless-steel appliances and sleek white cabinetry, with a butcher’s block island smack-dab in the center.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
14 July 2025
-
The butchers employed an electrical stunner that resembles a pair of barbecue tongs.—
Bennet Goldstein,
jsonline.com,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetent. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share