incompetence

noun

(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s How to pronounce incompetence (audio)
Definition of incompetencenext
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 The most serious charges — which included incompetence, negligence and failure of duty — were dismissed. — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2026 Wardex's incompetence is another bugbear. — Ian Stokes, Space.com, 12 June 2026 In it, the author described a culture of confusion, stress, and incompetence, as contractors competed for work to be completed under near-impossible deadlines. — Cortney Harding, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 The ones who were around to see Walt Frazier and Willis Reed’s titles in 1970 and 1973 have stood by for more than half a century, along the way incurring the jeers that accompany telling anyone their favorite team is the go-to example of incompetence. — Fred Katz, New York Times, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
  • It was reflected in his inability to record a single strikeout.
    — Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • While there are some drawbacks compared to traditional investments — such as its inability to earn dividends — there are several ways to add gold to your portfolio.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of inability

Browse Nearby Words

incompatible
incompetence
incompetency
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on incompetence

Nglish: Translation of incompetence for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of tacit

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All