as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the astounding incompetence of the new assistant
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 incompetence
Republican members of Congress have often accused the city’s government of incompetence and inaction, especially on crime.
—
Qasim Nauman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
There will also, no doubt, be a search for efficiency savings, and efforts to root out what Mr. Trump has called incompetence and corruption.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
Trump’s approval rating never surpassed 50 percent during his first term, and a combination of incompetence, overreach, unpopular policies, and partisan polarization will likely limit his support during his second.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Qasim Nauman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Work is accomplished by those employees who have not yet reached their level of incompetence.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 19 Feb. 2025
There will also, no doubt, be a search for efficiency savings, and efforts to root out what Mr. Trump has called incompetence and corruption.
—Ned Temko, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Feb. 2025
Trump’s approval rating never surpassed 50 percent during his first term, and a combination of incompetence, overreach, unpopular policies, and partisan polarization will likely limit his support during his second.
—Steven Levitsky, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Articles Related to incompetence
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share