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

The inability of the United States to protect its Gulf allies from Iranian attacks or to keep the Strait of Hormuz open has fatally undermined the core security bargain that justified its network of military bases in the region. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

Feelings of anxiety often point to uncertainty rather than inability. — Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The Democratic National Committee's autopsy of why the party lost the 2024 election, released this year, cited Harris' inability to energize voters as one of the reasons. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026

Bond insurance does not protect you from losses due to interest rate increases; the insurance protects you from losses due to the inability of the company that issued the bond to pay interest due as well as principal repayment at maturity. — Elliot Raphaelson, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

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