incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
3
: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
incompetent
noun
incompetently
adverb
Synonyms
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
Andrew Jay Cohen’s incompetent direction — the movie doesn’t even build up to jokes, let alone follow them through — leads to an airless, desperate comedy in which every cast member is stranded.
—
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
They were meant to cause political harm and yet increased the concern of the flying public that commercial aviation has somehow magically become unsafe, manned by incompetent air traffic controllers.
—Michael B. Teiger, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
Prosecutors have dropped a charge against a Springdale woman arrested in October in connection with taking advantage of an incompetent person.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 21 Jan. 2025
The poor are less often dismissed from our conscience today by being branded as inferior and incompetent.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for incompetent 
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Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
They were meant to cause political harm and yet increased the concern of the flying public that commercial aviation has somehow magically become unsafe, manned by incompetent air traffic controllers.
—Michael B. Teiger, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025
Prosecutors have dropped a charge against a Springdale woman arrested in October in connection with taking advantage of an incompetent person.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 21 Jan. 2025
The poor are less often dismissed from our conscience today by being branded as inferior and incompetent.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for incompetent
Dictionary Entries Near incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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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