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
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 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
-
There were cries of a rotten system and in its recent lawsuit against the tennis authorities, the PTPA has belittled the current system as unfit for purpose.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Once a game has started, the lead umpire determines whether it should be suspended as well as when it can be resumed or terminated because of bad weather or unfit playing conditions.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Twins needed to bang their way to victories, but were incapable of doing so.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
-
Does this mean that the CEO coach is not psychologically adept and incapable of digging deep?—
Dr. John Blakey,
Forbes,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
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 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share