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

From a seven-game losing streak out of the gate, to injury after injury, to the inability, more often than not, to get the clutch hit or make the key pitch or make the right play, ‘25 was a lost campaign in many ways. —Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 19 Apr. 2026

Examples include chronic pain, emotional anguish, anxiety, scarring or disfigurement, and the inability to enjoy your hobbies, sports, or daily activities. —William Jones, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026

But Council members who voted against adopting the fines said that the problem doesn’t lie in having a lack of protection against code violations, but rather, an inability to enforce them. —Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026

Same inability to rise to the moment. —Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 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