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 There are currently no effective treatments for severe CVI of the deep vein system caused by valvular incompetence and the Company estimates that there are approximately 2.5 million new patients each year in the U.S. that could be candidates for the VenoValve. Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 Ukraine has virtually no navy of its own, but technological innovation, audacity and Russian incompetence have given it the upper hand in much of the Black Sea. Tim Lister and Victoria Butenko, CNN, 14 Feb. 2024 Israel can’t accept this, given the authority’s corruption, incompetence and unpopularity in Gaza and the West Bank. Seth Cropsey, WSJ, 26 Dec. 2023 But to other staff members, the mystery of West’s employment deepened as his incompetence became apparent to them. Robert Draper, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024 There are people who have known the president for years who would tell you Biden’s incompetence has nothing to do with his age. Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2024 Maladministration, incompetence, and a blatant disregard for the American people’s wishes are notably absent from the list. Ken Buck, National Review, 14 Feb. 2024 She was incensed by the foolishness and incompetence of the men running the nation and believed that women were better suited to solve America’s problems. Jonathan W. White, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 Matthew told me that one of the strangest aspects of their ordeal had been trying to determine whether the officials’ curious behavior reflected incompetence or something darker. Patrick Radden Keefe, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incompetence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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