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
incapable of understanding the task
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
incapable of telling a lie
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
Examples of incapable in a Sentence
hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
Recent Examples on the Web
Their rivals were a candid, impudent pair, the schoolgirlish Shakira and a throaty American bottle-service girl named Toni, both incapable of conniving their way into romance, prone to heartbreak, and swiftly ostracized for their overt judgment of other islanders.
—
Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
Following in the footsteps of Eddie the Eagle and Cool Runnings, Next Goal Wins focuses on a real-life sporting underdog that even Hollywood recognizes is incapable of being turned into a champion team.
—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
For example, if artificial intelligence turns out to be an expensive and energy-intensive technology incapable of delivering meaningful breakthroughs or cost savings, a company that spent billions on specialized data centers could be forced to reduce—or write down—the value of those assets.
—
Colin Dodds,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
Hundreds of thousands of Miami-Dade households were incapable of making ends meet, according to the most recent available data from United Way.
—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
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Lillian Fishman,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
Following in the footsteps of Eddie the Eagle and Cool Runnings, Next Goal Wins focuses on a real-life sporting underdog that even Hollywood recognizes is incapable of being turned into a champion team.
—
Jon O'Brien,
Vulture,
26 June 2026
For example, if artificial intelligence turns out to be an expensive and energy-intensive technology incapable of delivering meaningful breakthroughs or cost savings, a company that spent billions on specialized data centers could be forced to reduce—or write down—the value of those assets.
—
Colin Dodds,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
26 June 2026
Hundreds of thousands of Miami-Dade households were incapable of making ends meet, according to the most recent available data from United Way.
—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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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