incomplete
adjective
in·com·plete
ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt 
1
: not complete : unfinished: such as
a
: lacking a usually necessary part, element, or step
spoke in incomplete sentences
an incomplete set of golf clubs
an incomplete diet
b
of protein
: deficient in one or more essential amino acids
People used to think you needed to eat incomplete proteins together in the same meal to make up a complete protein, but that view has been debunked; simply eat a variety of plant-based protein sources throughout the day and you'll be fine.—
Katherine Hobson
Katherine Hobson
c
: lacking one or more sets of floral organs
an incomplete flower without stamens
2
of a football pass
: not legally caught
3
of insect metamorphosis
: characterized by the absence of a pupal stage between the immature stages and the adult of an insect in which the young usually resemble the adult compare complete sense 6
incompletely
adverb
incompleteness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of incomplete in a Sentence
an incomplete set of encyclopedias
She handed in an incomplete assignment.
Recent Examples on the Web
The drive nearly ended a few plays earlier when Joe Burrow was picked off, but the potential interception was overturned to incomplete on replay.
—NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Even chalking the election entirely up to inflation seems rather convenient and incomplete.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
According to Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D'Agostino, 57% of the applications were verified, 17% were determined to be fraudulent, and 26% are still being investigated and are either incomplete or not verified.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
But most predictions rely on anecdotes, incomplete data, wish-casting, and emotion.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incomplete 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024
Even chalking the election entirely up to inflation seems rather convenient and incomplete.
—Vox Staff, Vox, 6 Nov. 2024
According to Lancaster County Commissioner Ray D'Agostino, 57% of the applications were verified, 17% were determined to be fraudulent, and 26% are still being investigated and are either incomplete or not verified.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
But most predictions rely on anecdotes, incomplete data, wish-casting, and emotion.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incomplete
Dictionary Entries Near incomplete
Cite this Entry
“Incomplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incomplete. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incomplete
adjective
in·com·plete
ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt
: not complete : lacking some part
handed in an incomplete assignment
incompletely
adverb
incompleteness
noun
Medical Definition
incomplete
adjective
in·com·plete
ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt
1
of insect metamorphosis
: having no pupal stage between the immature stages and the adult with the young insect usually resembling the adult compare complete sense 1
2
of a bone fracture
: not broken entirely across compare complete sense 2
3
of a protein
: deficient in one or more essential amino acids compare complete sense 3
4
: characterized by incomplete dominance
an incomplete trait
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