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.

Nothing about my wife is incompetent, and she was deeply offended.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

They told me her personal physician had never declared her incompetent and was actually reinstating her competency.

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

"The whole lot of them need sacking, all of them at Uttlesford. They're totally incompetent."

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

“I want you to get him to declare Miss Trixie senile and incompetent and to explain the motivation for writing the letter.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

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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