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
Lindsey, the initial lead prosecutor on the Morphew case, testified against Stanley during a two-week disciplinary hearing in June, portraying her as an incompetent and disengaged leader.
—
Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024
In this light The Favourite, a satire about an incompetent female ruler, is greeted very differently.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Or, to put it another way, the incompetent cartographers of Wall Street are, somehow, still in charge of the narrative.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2024
Although leadership explains 30-40% of the variability in team and business performance, the baseline for managerial and leadership incompetent remains ridiculously high, at 50-60%.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompetent 
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Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024
In this light The Favourite, a satire about an incompetent female ruler, is greeted very differently.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Or, to put it another way, the incompetent cartographers of Wall Street are, somehow, still in charge of the narrative.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2024
Although leadership explains 30-40% of the variability in team and business performance, the baseline for managerial and leadership incompetent remains ridiculously high, at 50-60%.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024
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 29 Nov. 2024.
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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