incapable

adjective in·ca·pa·ble \ (ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

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

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incapability

play \(ˌ)in-ˌkā-pə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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incapableness

play \(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl-nəs\ noun

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incapably

play \(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-blē\ adverb

See incapable defined for English-language learners

See incapable defined for kids

Examples of incapable in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of incapable from the Web

The four rights groups — Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect, and Fortify Rights — said Myanmar’s government is incapable of bringing those responsible for such crimes to justice.

— Time, "The U.N. Urges Myanmar to Seek Accountability for Violence Against Rohingya," 11 May 2018
The authorities in Myanmar are incapable of holding themselves to account so the clock is ticking to act.

— Washington Post, "4 rights groups urge UN council to refer Myanmar to ICC," 10 May 2018
Specifically, Trump is worried that his aging, attention-hungry attorney might be incapable of staying on message in cable news interviews.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Worried Aging, Loudmouth New Yorker Can’t Stay on Message," 8 May 2018
Embassy officials in all three countries concluded that the three governments were incapable of absorbing the return of so many people, according to the report, which was first reported by The Washington Post.

— alan gomez, USA TODAY, "Trump administration overruled U.S. embassy officials to end immigration program," 8 May 2018
Ah, the gilded life. LOSERS The draft machine: The NFL is incapable of handling certain situations responsibly.

— conor orr, SI.com, "Winners and Losers of the 2018 NFL Draft," 29 Apr. 2018
The older terminals are incapable of remembering progressive jackpots through the conversions.

— ted sickinger, OregonLive.com, "Oregon Lottery jackpots drop after reset: 'This wasn't an upgrade. It was a holdup.'," 28 Apr. 2018
That long period of quiescence seems to fly in the face of the popular belief that serial rapists and killers are incapable of stopping.

— jan hoffman, New York Times, "Do Serial Killers Just Stop? Yes, Sometimes," 26 Apr. 2018
One reason such a reform would benefit the public is that Congress is incapable of managing the changes the post office badly needs.

— The Economist, "Why America’s post office should be privatised," 19 Apr. 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.