Synonyms

incompetence

American

[in-kom-pi-tuhns] / ɪnˈkɒm pɪ təns /

Also incompetency

noun

the quality or condition of being incompetent; lack of ability.
Law. the condition of lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

Etymology

Origin of incompetence

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

Explanation

Can't finish a simple task? Having a hard time figuring something out? Lack the ability to get things done? Then you might be suffering from incompetence. Have you ever noticed how bad a lot of people are at their jobs, even though they do them every day? Or how often famous people screw things up, even very important things? Then you've already noticed that incompetence is a very common thing. Incompetence is a word for people and things that are ineffective, shoddy, or just terrible at what they're supposed to do. Incompetence is the opposite of excellence.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing incompetence

Speak

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Franklin D. Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1933), List 1

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Vocabulary Heard at the 2016 Republican National Convention

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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.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the situation was "not students' fault", and that many institutions had let them down "through either incompetence or abuse of the system".

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

He also accused DOJ lawyers of destroying the office’s good standing with the judiciary and suggested that its incompetence has allowed defendants to evade just penalties for heinous crimes.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Her gleeful cruelty was matched only by the audacity of her incompetence.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Mr. Brundage investigates whether these onerous conditions were the product of neglect, incompetence and chaos, or whether they reflected a more deliberate policy of retribution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Leek got by, simply because of his monstrous incompetence.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023