unable

adjective

un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl 

: not able : incapable: such as

a

: unqualified, incompetent

b

: impotent, helpless

Synonyms of unable

• unfit
• unfitted
• incompetent
• incapable

Examples of unable in a Sentence

I was unable to afford the trip.

He was unable to play tennis after the injury.

Recent Examples on the Web

When Moore did not return outside, the driver went into the store but was unable to locate her. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

People with heat stroke can feel confused, unable to speak properly and agitated. — Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 2 July 2026

This indicates the Saudis are clearing a backlog of oil tankers that were unable to exit the Gulf during the conflict, the firm said. — Spencer Kimball, CNBC, 2 July 2026

Firefighters made several attempts to reach them but were unable to rescue them, per the Akron Beacon Journal. — Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unable

• able
• chaebol
• fable
• label
• sable
• stabile
• stable
• table
• allocable
• educable
• irrigable
• purchasable

Kids Definition

unable

adjective

un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl 

ˈən-

: not able : incapable