Incompetence and Magic

Opposite meaning words

Incompetence noun - The lack of sufficient ability, power, or means.

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Magic is an antonym for incompetence.

Nearby Words: incompetent, incompetently

Magic noun - The power to control natural forces through supernatural means.

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Incompetence is an antonym for magic.

Nearby Words: magical, magician, mage, magically

pure	pure incompetence	pure magic
natural	natural incompetence	natural magic
true	true incompetence	true magic
genuine	genuine incompetence	genuine magic
Other adjectives: simple, plain, actual, dangerous.

When Reed finally admits his incompetence, it turns out to be the magic words that unlock the door.

Source: Locking MacGyver in the Store Cupboard
Le Guin's Earthsea series, at least in the beginning — only men have magical training; women's magic is a byword for incompetence and for malice.

Source: Mars-and-Venus Gender Contrast
It's eventually revealed that his incompetence is because he's not actually a qualified mage; he was actually a cook at magic school.

Source: Inept Mage

Cite this Source

Magic and Incompetence. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 14, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/incompetence/magic

Incompetence & Magic. N.p., 2016. Web. 14 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/incompetence/magic>.

Magic or Incompetence. 2016. Accessed August 14, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/incompetence/magic.

Google Ngram Viewer shows how "incompetence" and "magic" have occurred on timeline