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
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
The arrests come amid growing public pressure for action against commanders seen as incompetent or careless as desertions rise in the Ukrainian Army.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Republicans stand in solidarity, voting for incompetent Cabinet picks, while Democrats are barred from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development building, which Musk shut down.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
The difference in expertise is often shocking, which is one reason so many appeals cite incompetent representation.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Adjective
The Titanic was a ship of fools, passengers willing to entrust their fate to a crew of hubristic, ultimately incompetent, stewardship.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 22 Jan. 2025
The arrests come amid growing public pressure for action against commanders seen as incompetent or careless as desertions rise in the Ukrainian Army.
—Maria Varenikova, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
Republicans stand in solidarity, voting for incompetent Cabinet picks, while Democrats are barred from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development building, which Musk shut down.
—Christine Ledbetter, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
The difference in expertise is often shocking, which is one reason so many appeals cite incompetent representation.
—Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetent
Adjective
-
Entering 2025, the club responded during the January transfer window by replacing players unfit for Fabregas' tactical system with ten new signings, including Maxence Caqueret (Lyon), Assane Diao (Real Betis) and Barcelona loanee Alex Valle.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
But both those cases were dismissed after he was found unfit to stand trial, said a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Child and Dependent Care Credit: Provides a credit for a percentage of expenses paid for the care of qualifying individuals, such as children under 13 or a spouse or dependent who is incapable of self-care, to enable the taxpayer to work or look for work.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
-
The apartment belongs to Booth, who doesn’t work and seems incapable of holding down a job.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Alternatively, drive over the bridge for a casual lunch at Marrow, a zero-waste whole-animal butcher shop and bistro that neighbors Sister Pie.—
Sarah Bence,
AFAR Media,
3 Mar. 2025
-
Hunter, fisherman, chef and award-winning author Jesse Griffiths and Tamara Mayfield opened Dai Due restaurant and butcher shop in 2014 as an outgrowth of their popular supper club and farmers market stand, and the seasonal and local ethos of a farmers market is the anchor of this rustic beauty.—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
13 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetent. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share