incapacity
noun
in·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 
-ˈpa-stē
plural incapacities
: the quality or state of being incapable
especially
: lack of physical or intellectual power or of natural or legal qualifications
Examples of incapacity in a Sentence
I'm aware of my weaknesses and incapacities.
her entrenched incapacity for decision-making doesn't make her a very good boss
Recent Examples on the Web
The executives have chuckled at the team’s seeming complacency and incapacity for change, which culminated in a 43-119 record in 2025, a finish that put the club on par with the 2024 Chicago White Sox and 1962 New York Mets in terms of futility.
—
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That spirit manages to survive a patently modern star turn from Mark Wahlberg, whose incapacity for nuance and self-reflection is well-served by a role that has little interest in either.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
The amendment’s most glaring weakness lies in Section 4, which addresses presidential incapacity when the president cannot or will not acknowledge their disability.
—Lynn Schmidt, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Ratified in 1967, it was designed to address gaps in succession and clarify what happens in cases of death, resignation, or incapacity.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
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Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
That spirit manages to survive a patently modern star turn from Mark Wahlberg, whose incapacity for nuance and self-reflection is well-served by a role that has little interest in either.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025
The amendment’s most glaring weakness lies in Section 4, which addresses presidential incapacity when the president cannot or will not acknowledge their disability.
—Lynn Schmidt, Twin Cities, 19 Sep. 2025
Ratified in 1967, it was designed to address gaps in succession and clarify what happens in cases of death, resignation, or incapacity.
—Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Cite this Entry
“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacity. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incapacity
noun
in·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ət-ē
-ˈpas-tē
plural incapacities
: lack of ability or power
Legal Definition
incapacity
noun
in·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē
plural incapacities
1
: the quality or state of being incapable
especially
: lack of legal qualifications due to age or mental condition compare capacity
2
: the inability of an injured worker to perform the duties required in a job for which he or she is qualified compare disability sense 1
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