inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inability (audio)
: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity
his 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 Frustration over the 81-year-old POTUS’ halting and stumbling June 27 debate performance and his seeming inability to see a path to victory against Donald Trump was a dead-end has dissipated almost instantly. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 22 July 2024 There is a danger in this though; a danger rooted in a collective pessimism about our future, and the inability to imagine something different for us. Danté Stewart, TIME, 19 July 2024 Frequent complaints about the sleep update include the inability to view the screen horizontally and problems with visibility. Scharon Harding, Ars Technica, 17 July 2024 As little as one hour on mobile devices has been linked to behavioral issues and inability to pay attention, according to a study among Japanese first graders. Allie Volpe, Vox, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for inability 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inability.' 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

Middle English inhabilite disqualification, from Medieval Latin inhabilitas, from Latin in- + habilitas ability

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inability was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near inability

Cite this Entry

“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inability. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

inability

noun
in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌin-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce inability (audio)
: lack of ability, power, or means
his inability to carry a tune

More from Merriam-Webster on inability

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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