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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetent
Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Administration officials are absolutely clueless, sloppy and incompetent. — Joe Szczepaniak, Wheaton
War is not a game
I am sickened by the emoji used by those in top government positions (and then some) in the unclassified text thread about war plans and execution of those plans.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
The evil that a handful of incompetent people are inflicting on our country is growing.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
On what planet would anyone buy this team and let that incompetent non- entity have any role ?
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Adjective
Read’s defense attorneys have countered throughout the case that Read has been framed by corrupt and incompetent local and state cops and prosecutors working with the owner of the home whose lawn O’Keefe was found.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2025
Administration officials are absolutely clueless, sloppy and incompetent. — Joe Szczepaniak, Wheaton
War is not a game
I am sickened by the emoji used by those in top government positions (and then some) in the unclassified text thread about war plans and execution of those plans.
—Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
The evil that a handful of incompetent people are inflicting on our country is growing.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 2025
On what planet would anyone buy this team and let that incompetent non- entity have any role ?
—Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetent
Adjective
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Just like an organization being certain that other players are unfit for the harsh glare of intense games in April.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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The injunction request stated the premises were unfit for occupancy and owners did not have a valid city business license.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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,
7 Apr. 2025
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Rats, for example, are incapable of vomiting, which is why rat poison works so well.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The latter was my choice, a lively room that felt like an upscale butcher shop turned restaurant with as many locals as hotel guests.—
Everett Potter,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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What started as a butcher shop with a small kitchen quickly evolved into a full-fledged restaurant, offering dry-aged steaks, burgers, and handcrafted charcuterie.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetent. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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