inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity

my inability to do math

Synonyms of inability

• incapability
• insufficiency
• incompetence
• incompetency

Examples of inability in a Sentence

She has shown an inability to concentrate.

the inability of the government to cope with the problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Their weakness is an inability to maintain a consistent intensity throughout an entire game. —Andy Jones, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025

If there's been one issue for the Jets over the past few decades, it's been their inability to find a franchise quarterback. —Jon Conahan, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation’s 2023 report found that nearly four in ten Arizonans without dental insurance skip visits due to cost, and another 39 percent cite the inability to afford extra out-of-pocket expenses. —Sixteen Ramos, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025

Grace is in limbo, the film posits, mired in a crisis seemingly brought on by her inability to see herself as either archetype of a young mother. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inhabilite disqualification, from Medieval Latin inhabilitas, from Latin in- + habilitas ability

First Known Use

1500, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌin-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

: lack of ability, power, or means

his inability to carry a tune