incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent (ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
3
: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
incompetent noun
incompetently adverb
Synonyms
- inapt
- incapable
- inept
- inexpert
- unable
- unfit
- unfitted
- unqualified
- unskilled
- unskillful
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He is too incompetent to be trusted with such an important responsibility. The patient is mentally incompetent. The defendant was declared incompetent to stand trial.
Recent Examples on the Web Daybell's case was stalled after a judge found her mentally incompetent to aid in her own defense and ordered her to undergo treatment at a mental health facility. 
Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 6 Sep. 2022 While the 32 Ether staked as collateral serves as a major incentive to behave appropriately, there are also punishments for validators that are incompetent or malicious. Taylor Locke, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 Bad judges can dish out incompetent or abusive behavior for years unless someone takes a risky step to complain. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 18 May 2022 This gripping podcast focuses on incompetent or psychopathic (maybe both) ex-surgeon Christopher Duntsch and exposes terrifying institutional failures. Simon Hill, Wired, 20 Feb. 2022 The dominant answers to such questions have revolved around the actions of individuals, including the incompetent administration of Donald Trump and now the missteps of Joe Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Eric Reinhart, STAT, 5 Oct. 2021 But in many of those incidents, judges deemed her incompetent to stand trial, she was referred to either or both inpatient or outpatient mental health services, and the cases were dismissed, The Dallas Morning News has reported. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 26 July 2022 American public housing, characterized by corrupt or incompetent housing agencies and heavily segregated massive housing complexes, was seen as an emblematic failure of Big Government liberalism. Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 16 May 2022 In Week 1486, the Empress asked for indications that someone was incompetent at a particular job. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 26 May 2022 See More
Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 6 Sep. 2022 While the 32 Ether staked as collateral serves as a major incentive to behave appropriately, there are also punishments for validators that are incompetent or malicious. Taylor Locke, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2022 Bad judges can dish out incompetent or abusive behavior for years unless someone takes a risky step to complain. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 18 May 2022 This gripping podcast focuses on incompetent or psychopathic (maybe both) ex-surgeon Christopher Duntsch and exposes terrifying institutional failures. Simon Hill, Wired, 20 Feb. 2022 The dominant answers to such questions have revolved around the actions of individuals, including the incompetent administration of Donald Trump and now the missteps of Joe Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. Eric Reinhart, STAT, 5 Oct. 2021 But in many of those incidents, judges deemed her incompetent to stand trial, she was referred to either or both inpatient or outpatient mental health services, and the cases were dismissed, The Dallas Morning News has reported. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 26 July 2022 American public housing, characterized by corrupt or incompetent housing agencies and heavily segregated massive housing complexes, was seen as an emblematic failure of Big Government liberalism. Alex Pareene, The New Republic, 16 May 2022 In Week 1486, the Empress asked for indications that someone was incompetent at a particular job. Pat Myers, Washington Post, 26 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle French incompétent, from in- + compétent competent
First Known Use
1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt
: not able to do a good job
Medical Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent (ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
1
: not legally qualified
especially : incapable due to a mental or physical condition
2
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
Legal Definition
incompetent 1 of 2
adjective
in·com·pe·tent in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt
1
: not legally qualified: as
a
: lacking legal capacity (as because of age or mental deficiency)
b
: incapable due to mental or physical condition compare competent
c
: lacking authority, power, or qualifications required by law
an incompetent court
incompetent evidence
2
: unable or failing to perform adequately
fired for being incompetent
an incompetent attorney
compare ineffective assistance of counsel incompetent
2 of 2noun
: a person who is incompetent compare interdict
incompetently
adverb
as in poorly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- poorly
- ineptly
- inefficiently
- amateurishly
- inexpertly
- unskillfully
- artlessly
- clumsily
- inaptly
- crudely
- incapably
- awkwardly
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- competently
- skillfully
- expertly
- artfully
- ably
- capably
- well
- deftly
- masterfully
- adroitly
- aptly
- adeptly
- proficiently
- consummately
- fluently
- neatly
- cleverly
- masterly
- cleanly
- nimbly
- dexterously