incapable

adjective

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 archaic : not able to take in, hold, or keep

b archaic : not receptive

c : not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible

d : not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent

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

Addressing a public that seems incapable of discussing anything but freedom, Mr. Peterson presents himself unmistakably as a philosophical advocate of order. — Yoram Hazony, WSJ, "Jordan Peterson and Conservatism’s Rebirth," 15 June 2018 This is a recurring issue for Madrid and one of the reasons Zidane’s side seems so incapable of controlling games. — Jonathan Wilson, SI.com, "Bayern Munich Its Own Worst Enemy as Real Madrid Returns to Champions League Final," 1 May 2018 Bochy noted that many players are unwilling or incapable of remaking themselves. — Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, "'You only get one career': Giants' Mac Williamson breaks out after big-time changes," 25 Apr. 2018 The oratorical challenges that life has thrown at him over the last four years—the 2004 convention, the race speech, Berlin—have given chance after chance to flop, but the man seems incapable of doing so. — Newsweek, "Analysis," 14 Mar. 2018 And incapable of answering as both an industry as well as a government. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Box CEO Aaron Levie on Recode Decode," 11 July 2018 Her intended, Louis-August (Jason Schwartzman), current dauphin of France and future King Louis XVI, is the 18th century equivalent of a shy A/V nerd, and completely incapable of standing up for his new bride in a court of gossips and mean girls. — refinery29.com, "Why Marie Antoinette Is Really Mean Girls, Versailles Edition," 10 July 2018 Justices increasingly come to the Court with fixed legal sentiments incapable of being altered by their colleagues. — David Fontana, Vox, "Justice Sotomayor is poised to lead the minority wing of the Supreme Court," 6 July 2018 For the first time in franchise history, the Lakers weren't one of the NBA's glamour franchises, incapable of attracting the kind of star power it was used to employing. — Tim Bontemps, chicagotribune.com, "For Jeanie Buss, NBA free agency marks the next step in a resurgence for Lakers," 26 June 2018

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.