incompetent

adjective

in·​com·​pe·​tent (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt How to pronounce incompetent (audio)
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 Unfortunately, their quest takes many wrong turns, including a laughable fake ID, two incompetent cops, and multiple car accidents. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 An incompetent spy from drab, dismal Graylandia, thwarts the his country ’s plans to invade the vibrant, if chaotic neighboring Colorlandia. John Hopewell, Variety, 3 Mar. 2024 Then doctors discovered Sara had an incompetent cervix, which can cause premature birth and even miscarriage, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Over the course of 10 years, she was alternately found competent and then incompetent to stand trial in court. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2024 Only to be out three years and have an encounter with this racist, incompetent officer who took his life unnecessarily. Char Adams, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2024 In other countries, such a humiliation following an incompetent act of aggression might have brought down the leaders who ordered it. Lawrence D. Freedman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Feb. 2024 His collection of on-stage collaborators (i.e., puppets) include a beer-swelling redneck yahoo and a dead, incompetent suicide bomber named Achmed, among others. Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024 This is not to say Mayorkas is undeserving of the impeachment that House Republicans approved on Tuesday — only after losing a similar, party-line squeaker last week in a fit of incompetent vote-counting. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 17 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle French incompétent, from in- + compétent competent

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of incompetent was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near incompetent

Cite this Entry

“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

incompetent

1 of 2 adjective
in·​com·​pe·​tent
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
1
: not legally qualified
2
: lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) needed to do something well
an incompetent writer
incompetently adverb

incompetent

2 of 2 noun
: an incompetent person

Medical Definition

incompetent

adjective
in·​com·​pe·​tent (ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt How to pronounce incompetent (audio)
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 How to pronounce incompetent (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on incompetent

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