inability
noun
in·abil·i·ty
ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity
my inability to do math
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
There were two outs, so Alonso ran on contact, but Alvarez’s inability to collect the baseball quickly allowed the lumbering first baseman to score without even a throw.
—
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Even when Florida’s lead was insurmountable, Golden was conscious of when to play Rioux because of his inability to keep up with the pace of the game and maintain endurance.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The questions go to the heart of the frustration expressed by business leaders such as Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank’s boss, who warned just this month at Semafor World Economy that South Africa’s anemic economic growth was down to the state’s basic inability to uphold the rule of law.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
She is shocked by his blatant stereotyping and his inability to distinguish a foreign government’s policies from the views of Jewish people worldwide.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
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Chandler Rome, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Even when Florida’s lead was insurmountable, Golden was conscious of when to play Rioux because of his inability to keep up with the pace of the game and maintain endurance.
—Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026
The questions go to the heart of the frustration expressed by business leaders such as Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank’s boss, who warned just this month at Semafor World Economy that South Africa’s anemic economic growth was down to the state’s basic inability to uphold the rule of law.
—Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
She is shocked by his blatant stereotyping and his inability to distinguish a foreign government’s policies from the views of Jewish people worldwide.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inability. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inability
noun
in·abil·i·ty
ˌin-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
: lack of ability, power, or means
his inability to carry a tune
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