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View synonyms for incompetent

incompetent

[ in-kom-pi-tuhnt ]

adjective

  1. not competent; lacking qualification or ability; incapable:

    an incompetent candidate.

    Synonyms: unfit, inadequate, unqualified

    Antonyms: qualified, able

  2. characterized by or showing incompetence:

    His incompetent acting ruined the play.

  3. Law.
    1. being unable or legally unqualified to perform specified acts or to be held legally responsible for such acts.
    2. inadmissible, as evidence.


noun

  1. an incompetent person; a mentally deficient person.
  2. Law. a person lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

incompetent

/ ɪnˈkɒmpɪtənt /

adjective

  1. not possessing the necessary ability, skill, etc to do or carry out a task; incapable
  2. marked by lack of ability, skill, etc
  3. law not legally qualified

    an incompetent witness

  4. (of rock strata, folds, etc) yielding readily to pressure so as to undergo structural deformation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an incompetent person
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • inˈcompetently, adverb
  • inˈcompetence, noun
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Other Words From

  • in·compe·tent·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of incompetent1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Late Latin incompetent- (stem of incompetēns ) “unsuitable.” See in- 3, competent
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

The attacks came from conservatives like Elon Musk, who called her “utterly incompetent” on social media.

We have seen the incompetent, corrupt, criminal and sycophantic nominees for Donald Trump’s “leadership” team quickly chosen without proper vetting.

From Salon

The tech-billionaire owner of X has called him an "incompetent fool" and urged him to resign.

From BBC

The DOJ, FBI, and Democrat state and local prosecutors… are incompetent and corrupt, having spent all of their waking hours unlawfully attacking their political opponent, ME....

From Salon

The worst thing is if it's not an incompetent government, if it's really a move by him and his people to seize power.

From Salon

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incompetenceincomplete