incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action : lacking necessary ability or skills
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
After hearing psychiatrist … witnesses … the court found Edwards incompetent to stand trial …—
Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164 (2008)
Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164 (2008)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
Clinical psychologists concluded after exams in the six years since his arrest that McGuire was incompetent to stand trial.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
She was found incompetent to stand trial and was committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, according to a statement provided by Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Jazzlyn Johnson.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
White, who was taken into custody by federal agents, was later found incompetent to stand trial on hijacking and murder charges.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Bell, as expected, found Brown mentally incompetent.
—Julia Coin
june 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2026
She was found incompetent to stand trial and was committed to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, according to a statement provided by Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Jazzlyn Johnson.
—Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
White, who was taken into custody by federal agents, was later found incompetent to stand trial on hijacking and murder charges.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026
Bell, as expected, found Brown mentally incompetent.
—Julia Coin
june 11, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
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
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
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