incapable

adjective

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in·ca·pa·ble | \ (ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl

Definition of incapable

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

Other Words from incapable Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about incapable

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Other Words from incapable

incapability \ (ˌ)in-ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē

\ noun

incapableness \ (ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs

\ noun

incapably \ (ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-blē

\ adverb

Examples of incapable in a Sentence

hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things

Recent Examples on the Web Problems about accuracy raise concerns about amplifying bad advice to people who may be vulnerable or incapable of critical thinking, as well as fears of perpetuating racial or cultural biases. — Lisa Ward, WSJ, "Can Artificial Intelligence Replace Human Therapists?," 27 Mar. 2021 Black people were described as lazy and incapable of operating independent of masters, Millner said. — Jordan Culver, USA TODAY, "A bust of the lone Black adventurer in the Lewis and Clark expedition mysteriously appeared in an Oregon park. Who was York?," 8 Mar. 2021 The notion floated by many policymakers that the police culture in Minneapolis is irredeemably toxic and incapable of change is offensive to me personally and professionally. — Paul Ostrow, Star Tribune, "Minneapolis needs reformers, not performers," 28 Feb. 2021 The goal of viral vaccinations is to have enough people in a community already immune and incapable of being contagious and spreading a disease, known as herd immunity. — Cole Lauterbach, Washington Examiner, "Arizona to get COVID-19 vaccines in mid-December," 24 Nov. 2020 Tennessee is a desperate team, but clearly incapable. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Does Greg Sankey have his finger on the red button?," 19 Nov. 2020 Bisexuals are also perceived to be indecisive and incapable of monogamy. — Kirthan Aujlay, refinery29.com, "One Thing You Should Never Ask A Bisexual Person," 29 Oct. 2020 Trump and his campaign have moved heaven and earth to paint Biden as weak or senile or somehow incapable of stringing together coherent sentences. — Rex Huppke, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Biden closing campaign on note of unity, while Trump sticks with sound and fury, signifying hate," 28 Oct. 2020 The Iowa was also, with the exception of a pair of seaplanes, comparatively blind and incapable of locating enemy ships at ranges greater than the horizon. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The Army's Mind-Bending 1,000-Mile Cannon Is Coming. Could It Bring Back Battleships?," 16 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incapable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.