incompetence

noun
in·​com·​pe·​tence | \ (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s How to pronounce incompetence (audio) \

Definition of incompetence

: the state or fact of being incompetent

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Examples of incompetence in a Sentence

Because of his incompetence, we won't make our deadline. She was fired for gross incompetence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tweet of the day Worth elaborating on the level of incompetence Trump showed today on Kashmir. NBC News, "How Mueller's congressional testimony could reverberate in 2020," 23 July 2019 There is a clear path, which, either out of incompetence or for some darker reason, Britain’s politicians have refused to take. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, "The Death of British Steel and the Myth of the Good Brexit," 10 July 2019 As for the Hornets, this is another head scratching move to cap a decade of incompetence. The Si Staff, SI.com, "Debating the Best and Worst Deals of NBA Free Agency," 5 July 2019 Perhaps Pawlenty has finally absorbed the lesson of the Peter Principle, the theory that in every organization or profession people tend to rise to their level of incompetence. Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "The Most Boring Man in Minnesota Is Running for Governor Again," 5 Apr. 2018 Much of the Puerto Rican public perceived the leaks as being emblematic of the callousness and incompetence of its government. Zeeshan Aleem, Vox, "Puerto Rico’s week of massive protests, explained," 20 July 2019 Of the other comedy nominees, one is about a pair of New Yorkers who can’t stop dying, one is about the adventures of a hit man/aspiring actor and a third is about the stunning incompetence in Washington. Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Fantasy collides with reality as Emmy voters reward ‘Thrones,’ rebuke Trump," 16 July 2019 The trailer makes this film look smart and wickedly funny, especially given her in-laws' utter incompetence with weaponry. Ars Staff, Ars Technica, "Adieu Thrones, bye Avengers—this is the TV/film we’re eyeing for the rest of 2019," 6 July 2019 Those fired for their behavior in the workplace may suspect they are in fact being punished not so much on ethical grounds as for other kinds of failure or incompetence. Lidija Haas, The New Republic, "Notes on Cancel Culture," 1 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incompetence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of incompetence

1663, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for incompetence

incompetence

noun

English Language Learners Definition of incompetence

: lack of the ability to do something well : the quality or state of not being competent

incompetence

noun
in·​com·​pe·​tence | \ in-ˈkäm-pə-təns How to pronounce incompetence (audio) \

Kids Definition of incompetence

: the inability to do a good job … they were frustrated by their … own incompetence.— Jack London, The Call of the Wild

incompetence

noun
in·​com·​pe·​tence | \ (ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s How to pronounce incompetence (audio) \

Medical Definition of incompetence

1 : lack of legal qualification
2 : inability of an organ or part to perform its function adequately incompetence of an aortic valve

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incompetence

noun
in·​com·​pe·​tence | \ in-ˈkäm-pə-təns How to pronounce incompetence (audio) \

Legal Definition of incompetence

: the state or fact of being incompetent — compare competency

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