as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the astounding incompetence of the new assistant
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incompetence
Trump’s complaints included accusations of impropriety and incompetence in Powell’s leadership of the renovation.
—
David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Somehow, through the incompetence of studio executives, he was still handed a nightly television show.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
In 2023-24, seven franchises achieved that level of incompetence, which was the first time that happened since 2007-08.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
David Goldman, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Somehow, through the incompetence of studio executives, he was still handed a nightly television show.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
In 2023-24, seven franchises achieved that level of incompetence, which was the first time that happened since 2007-08.
—Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2026
At least six other Department of Aviation workers were investigated for spending hours idling on the job, demonstrating incompetence, stealing city property, and lying during the investigation.
—Chris Tye, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incompetence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incompetence
inability
Noun
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Even when Florida’s lead was insurmountable, Golden was conscious of when to play Rioux because of his inability to keep up with the pace of the game and maintain endurance.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The questions go to the heart of the frustration expressed by business leaders such as Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank’s boss, who warned just this month at Semafor World Economy that South Africa’s anemic economic growth was down to the state’s basic inability to uphold the rule of law.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incompetence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incompetence. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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