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

“They just don’t notice because they have incompetent noses.”

From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate

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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