unable

adjective

un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
Synonyms of unablenext
: not able : incapable: such as

Examples of unable in a Sentence

I was unable to afford the trip. He was unable to play tennis after the injury.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To be unable to do that, Brind’Amour’s logic goes, would be to lose sight of the work. Sean Gentille, New York Times, 28 May 2026 Blessing appears to want to exit the vehicle but is unable to fully open his door as it is pinned by the table. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2026 If Sorsby is unable to play then the defending Big 12 champions will rely on Will Hammond, who is recovering from an ACL injury and won’t be cleared until fall camp. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 May 2026 At the same time, the sheer volume of data and the lack of trust in it leave many business leaders unable to make timely, confident decisions, exactly when speed and alignment matter most in today’s industrial environment. Dustin Johnson, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unable

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unable was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

unable

adjective
un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
ˈən-
: not able : incapable

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