incompetence

[ in-kom-pi-tuhns ]

/ ɪnˈkɒm pɪ təns /

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See synonyms for incompetence on Thesaurus.com

noun

the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.

Law. the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also in·com·pe·ten·cy

[in-kom-pi-tuhn-see] /ɪnˈkɒm pɪ tən si/ .

Origin of incompetence

First recorded in 1655–65; from French incompétence (equivalent to in- negative prefix + compétence); variant of earlier incompetency;see origin at incompetent;see also -cy, -ence, -ency

Words nearby incompetence

incommunicative, incommutable, incompact, incomparable, incompatible, incompetence, incompetent, incomplete, incomplete abortion, incomplete dominance, incomplete flower

How to use incompetence in a sentence

Montgomery is mentally deteriorating and we are seeking an opportunity to prove her incompetence.
The last time a woman was executed for a federal crime, a kidnapping riveted the nation|Samantha Schmidt|January 12, 2021|Washington Post
A 2019 series by The Post and Courier and ProPublica exposed how a flawed system of selection and oversight provided fertile ground for incompetence and corruption on the bench.
Magistrate Judges Took Bribes, Stole Money and Mishandled Cases. South Carolina Officials Now Want Reform.|by Joseph Cranney, The Post and Courier|January 5, 2021|ProPublica
I realize state unemployment agencies have been given a tall task, but that’s no excuse for the level of incompetence and unresponsiveness they’ve demonstrated in delivering congressionally approved unemployment benefits.
New Bill Proposes Stopping Unemployment Agencies That Make Mistakes From Demanding Money Back|by Ava Kofman|December 9, 2020|ProPublica
The reasons included not only incompetence but corruption too.
More than 8 years behind schedule, Berlin’s new airport opens today amid an epic crisis in air travel|David Meyer|October 31, 2020|Fortune

The men are still able to plead incompetence, if nothing else.
Working moms are not okay|Amy Joyce, Ellen McCarthy|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
And their suspicions make them see betrayal at every turn, even when incompetence may be the cause of a particular problem.
Ukraine Militias Warn of Anti-Kiev Coup|Jamie Dettmer|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And they suggest something worse than incompetence is at work there.
Ukraine Militias Warn of Anti-Kiev Coup|Jamie Dettmer|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And a successful two-term Governor of a state where the balloting incompetence and idiocy is absolutely vital to the GOP.
Why 2016’s Hopefuls Are Hopeless|P. J. O’Rourke|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That and incompetence at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital may have caused the deadly disease to spread.
Rick Perry Avoided Ebola Like the Plague|Olivia Nuzzi|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Watching this incompetence is infuriating, and the view security cameras show from inside the mall is horrific.
Westgate's Chilling Security Video Reveals Shopping Mall Bloodbath|Nina Strochlic|September 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inexhaustibly kind to undeserved misfortune, a little impatient of mere incompetence, implacable to continuous idiocy.
The Creators|May Sinclair
It was chiefly a question of incompetence, no doubt, but there was no consolation in admitting that.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921|Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury
One was the incompetence of the Irish people for local government.
Home Rule|Harold Spender
But when a layman ventures to plunge deeply into legal subjects, he is naturally apt to make an exhibition of his incompetence.
Is Shakespeare Dead?|Mark Twain
Many of these losses were due to the utter incompetence of the higher command.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind|Herbert George Wells

incompetence

Origin of incompetence

Words nearby incompetence

Words related to incompetence

How to use incompetence in a sentence