incapacity

noun

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē How to pronounce incapacity (audio)
-ˈpa-stē
plural incapacities
: the quality or state of being incapable
especially : lack of physical or intellectual power or of natural or legal qualifications

Examples of incapacity in a Sentence

I'm aware of my weaknesses and incapacities. her entrenched incapacity for decision-making doesn't make her a very good boss
Recent Examples on the Web Our biggest immediate problem is to overcome our political and emotional incapacities. Janna Levin, Quanta Magazine, 25 Jan. 2024 These kind of situations – that involve anger and incapacity to do anything – are happening everywhere, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria or Iraq. Martin Dale, Variety, 25 Nov. 2023 But look back at the factors that seemed to undermine the exercise of free will: rotten luck, immaturity, circumstance, coercion, accident, and incapacity. Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023 For example, there was no Russia collusion but his thin skinned and verbal incapacity to cogently argue his positions made his the butt of every liberal comedian. Charles C. W. Cooke, National Review, 2 Nov. 2023 For the first time, an incapacity had the weight of riches. Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 10 Sep. 2023 In more routine ways, the political system feeds frustration and discontent with its incapacity to respond to the public’s needs. Dan Balz and Clara Ence Morse, Anchorage Daily News, 21 Aug. 2023 In short, Paul is a pathetic character whose early behavior speaks volumes about both his ambitions and his incapacity to follow through on them. Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Sep. 2023 The latest incident, coming after a similar moment of incapacity at a Capitol Hill press conference earlier this summer, has made clear that something serious is afflicting the top Republican in the Senate. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incapacity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French incapacité, from Middle French, from in- + capacité capacity

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incapacity was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near incapacity

Cite this Entry

“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacity. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

incapacity

noun
in·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ət-ē How to pronounce incapacity (audio)
-ˈpas-tē
plural incapacities
: lack of ability or power

Legal Definition

incapacity

noun
in·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē How to pronounce incapacity (audio)
plural incapacities
1
: the quality or state of being incapable
especially : lack of legal qualifications due to age or mental condition compare capacity
2
: the inability of an injured worker to perform the duties required in a job for which he or she is qualified compare disability sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on incapacity

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