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.
The suit, which accuses Delgado and Goliath of fraud, says since Delgado’s arrest Goliath’s payments to investors have been suspended, investors have been unable to access the company’s mobile application and questions about where their investments stand have gone unanswered. Silas Morgan, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026 Some bullish analysts optimistic about the government’s collapse estimated that Tehran could soon become unable to pay the Guards, triggering defections, especially after Israeli cyberattacks on Iranian banks and a Wednesday airstrike against a Bank Sepah data center. Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 14 Mar. 2026 Sadly, these cells are unable to detect color, so galaxies often appear as a nebulous halo of light surrounding a bright central core, occasionally featuring hints of dark, dusty lanes. Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026 The woman was unable to identify her attackers, so police turned to surveillance video to get a partial license plate of the vehicle used in her abduction, Farnell said. City News Service, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 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 16 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

unable

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

More from Merriam-Webster on unable

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