incompetence

[ in-kom-pi-tuh ns or in-kom-pi-tuh n-see ]

/ ɪnˈkɒm pɪ təns or ɪnˈkɒm pɪ tən si /

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

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

Origin of incompetence

1655–65; variant (with -ence for -ency) of earlier incompetency. See incompetent, -cy

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
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

When it comes to the practice of democracy, Americans now have few illusions about our own incompetence, division, and negligence.

Is Democracy Doomed Abroad? |James Poulos |August 31, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Doggie had not kicked it because he had never kicked a football in his life and shrank from an exhibition of incompetence.

The Rough Road |William John Locke
The children have been sacrificed too long to his incompetence.

The Vicissitudes of Bessie Fairfax |Harriet Parr
By the second clause his property would be placed in jeopardy to protect the carelessness or incompetence of others, aliens all.

El Diablo |Brayton Norton
There was nothing to choose between them in the way of incompetence and effeteness.

A History of England |Charles Oman
Child had noticed the incompetence of the country-gentlemen to understand the regulation of commercial affairs.

The English Utilitarians, Volume I. |Leslie Stephen

incompetence

[ ĭn-kŏm′pĭ-təns ]

The quality of being incompetent or incapable of performing a function, as the failure of the cardiac valves to close properly.

The condition of being not legally qualified, as to stand trial.

The inability to distinguish right from wrong or to manage one's affairs.