incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl 
1
: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: such as
a
: not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
c
archaic
: not able to take in, hold, or keep
d
archaic
: not receptive
2
: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified
Synonyms
Examples of incapable in a Sentence
hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
Recent Examples on the Web
But the pithy contradiction shows that Allen is incapable of a European’s moral complexity, although he was enticed by it and admired it.
—
Armond White, National Review, 5 Apr. 2024
Celebrity conductors, who often earn more than a million dollars a year, seem incapable of confining themselves to one job at a time.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
Andrés seems fundamentally incapable of mundane conversation, of course.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024
That undeniable confirmation for the world’s revisionist forces that America was an exhausted power incapable of defending its interests for very long was swiftly followed on by Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine — a horrific war of territorial conquest unseen on the European continent since 1945.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024
From the beginning, the U.N. and aid groups warned that the convoys were incapable of meeting the requirements of more than 2 million people who had the most basic needs.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
For those who more naturally sympathize with the Israeli mother than the Gazan hiding from the bombs, these responses exist across that chasm Chen describes, one that empathy alone is incapable of bridging.
—Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
Bob and Lily’s connection might be idealized, but Laymon still takes care to ground them in moments that feel authentic, performed by actors who seem incapable of striking a false note.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
Famous fossil is really just paint, rocks and a couple of bones, researchers say
The spider is venomous, but its fangs are incapable of breaking human skin.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024
Armond White, National Review, 5 Apr. 2024
Celebrity conductors, who often earn more than a million dollars a year, seem incapable of confining themselves to one job at a time.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
Andrés seems fundamentally incapable of mundane conversation, of course.
—Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Mar. 2024
That undeniable confirmation for the world’s revisionist forces that America was an exhausted power incapable of defending its interests for very long was swiftly followed on by Russia’s second invasion of Ukraine — a horrific war of territorial conquest unseen on the European continent since 1945.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Mar. 2024
From the beginning, the U.N. and aid groups warned that the convoys were incapable of meeting the requirements of more than 2 million people who had the most basic needs.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 7 Mar. 2024
For those who more naturally sympathize with the Israeli mother than the Gazan hiding from the bombs, these responses exist across that chasm Chen describes, one that empathy alone is incapable of bridging.
—Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
Bob and Lily’s connection might be idealized, but Laymon still takes care to ground them in moments that feel authentic, performed by actors who seem incapable of striking a false note.
—Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024
Famous fossil is really just paint, rocks and a couple of bones, researchers say
The spider is venomous, but its fangs are incapable of breaking human skin.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incapable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl
: not able to do something
incapable of cleaning her room thoroughly
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