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; see origin at incompetent; see also -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.

So this was really an exercise in weaponized incompetence.

From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026

There’s plenty of furtive gags like this throughout “Up in Smoke”: police incompetence, absent parents, anti-war rhetoric and racial stereotypes that function as satire.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

This is obviously a demonstration of incompetence and it is their fault.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

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

“Let’s have a toast. To the incompetence of our enemies.”

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

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