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.

Pete Hegseth is no Melvin Laird — Nixon’s defense secretary who was so incompetent as to be blamed for losing the Vietnam War.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

Money is the focus in the tracks like “La Moneda,” with Joel’s voice echoing through the backdrop as he proclaims that cash might change some tacky, incompetent chumps, but not him.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 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

Palmer found himself spending time trying to get his expenses cleared through an incompetent bureaucracy, rather than romancing a beautiful girl on a sandy beach.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

“But you realize we had to get permission from someone in your immediate family. You were incompetent to agree to this yourself.”

From "Flowers for Algernon" by Daniel Keyes

Vocabulary lists containing incompetent

Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 3

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ACT Vocabulary List

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Awkward Moments

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