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Showing results for incompetent. Search instead for Incompetents.
Definitions

incompetent

[in-kom-pi-tuhnt] / ɪnˈkɒm pɪ tənt /
ADJECTIVE
unskillful, unable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amateurish helpless inadequate incapable ineffectual inefficient inept inexperienced unqualified unskilled useless
STRONG
amateur raw
WEAK
awkward bungling bush-league clumsy disqualified floundering ineligible inexpert insufficient maladroit not cut out for not equal to not have it out to lunch unadapted unequipped unfit unfitted unhandy uninitiated unproficient untrained
Antonyms
STRONGEST
able capable competent expert qualified skilled strong useful
WEAK
adept dexterous effective efficient experienced proficient skillful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The 81-year-old had previously been found mentally incompetent last May but prison officials then declared in December that he was fit for trial following his hospital stay.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

I wrote a letter a couple of weeks ago about my aunt, who had been declared incompetent by two doctors due to alleged dementia.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026

The upside is that you keep your enemies on their toes, while the downside is that you risk looking unsure and incompetent at home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Most patients today have been deemed too incompetent to stand trial, Barnes said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

She was so nonfunctional and listless that her appointed lawyer thought she was incompetent to stand trial.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson