as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
an incompetent carpenter had built the deck, and the railings were loose already
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetent
Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.
—Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
He was arrested in connection with six felony counts of endangering the welfare of incompetent persons and misdemeanor negligent homicide.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for incompetent 
Adjective
This team was held back so much by incompetent coaching and overall management.
—Jon Greenberg, The Athletic, 5 Jan. 2025
Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2025
The team looked incompetent, even with an extra week to prepare.
—Chad Graff, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
He was arrested in connection with six felony counts of endangering the welfare of incompetent persons and misdemeanor negligent homicide.
—Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for incompetent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetent
Adjective
-
There are another 10 or so, such as Lil Joe, who are unfit for release after difficult histories.—
Kevin Spear,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Lee Monroe Straight-leg Jeans $43 $28 at Amazon Denim is notoriously unfit for traveling in, but reviewers say these Lee jeans are an exception.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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One man allegedly unloaded his pistol into Mary, only to find that the bullets were incapable of penetrating her thick hide.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
In the 1980s, Washington was seized by the worry that American industry was incapable of competing with Japan’s economic juggernaut.—
Jude Blanchette,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The newer facilities also include a butcher shop, where customers can shop for premium whole-hog cuts that conventional grocery stores might not carry, as well as hot food for takeout.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
20 Jan. 2025
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With inflation hitting 300 percent in April, locals cut back at the grocery store and the butcher shop, The Washington Post noted.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetent. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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