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
According to Smith, two-thirds of children age 10 to 12 are deemed incompetent to stand trial and languish under inadequate supervision without access to rehabilitative services.
—
Hannah Gaskill The Baltimore Sun (tns), arkansasonline.com, 10 Mar. 2024
In the process, Iranian forces accidentally shot down a commercial jet taking off from Tehran airport, killing over 100 passengers and fuelling public anger against a regime increasingly seen as incompetent.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompetent 
Hannah Gaskill The Baltimore Sun (tns), arkansasonline.com, 10 Mar. 2024
In the process, Iranian forces accidentally shot down a commercial jet taking off from Tehran airport, killing over 100 passengers and fuelling public anger against a regime increasingly seen as incompetent.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 14 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incompetent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incompetent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 4 May. 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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