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.
Police were unable to provide a detailed description of the suspects, but described them as two African American men between 20 and 30 years of age. Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026 McKellen was hospitalized for three days with a fractured wrist and neck injury following the fall on June 17, 2024, leaving him unable to return to the London run of Player Kings. Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 11 Apr. 2026 And the Heat largely remained stagnant, Norman Powell in the end unable to endure at an All-Star level, health never allowing a roster to coalesce. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 Prior to Heuermann’s confessions, authorities had been unable to conclusively connect Vergata to the Gilgo Beach serial killer case. Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 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 19 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

unable

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

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