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

Sleep banking should also be avoided by those who struggle with insomnia, Ju said, since lying awake in bed for long periods doesn’t treat your inability to sleep and can lead to even more frustration. —Terry Ward, CNN Money, 6 Dec. 2025

The biggest reason Georgia lost that one was its inability to get off the field. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

For years, the Achilles’ heel of general-purpose humanoid robots has been their inability to move quickly. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Dec. 2025

And, now, livermush fans across the Charlotte area are bemoaning their inability to find Neese’s brand Liver Pudding anywhere. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025

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