inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity

his inability to do math

Synonyms

• impotence
• inadequacy
• incapability
• incapacity
• incompetence
• incompetency
• ineptitude
• insufficiency
• powerlessness

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

Fever head coach Stephanie White was upset with how the referees officiated the game and about the inability to take control. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 18 June 2025

Predicate orders are based on the abandonment, abuse or neglect of that child by one or both parents, and the inability to reunify with one or both parents, based on those findings. —Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 18 June 2025

Another limitation of conversational AI is the inability to create structured data. —David Lareau, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

The bigger issue at play here, however, is the Giants’ inability to function when just one key player like Thomas goes down. —Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025

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

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