as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inability
She was particularly perplexed by the inability of the press to see beyond her gender.
—
Jenny Hall, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Europe’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance thus far is not a symbol of weakness or of the continent’s inability to summon the political energy to become more autonomous.
—Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
The inability to get Martin into a committee hearing seemed to mark a kind of ending.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
Miller’s inability to recall the day’s events inspired Mendoza to reconstruct them meticulously.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Jenny Hall, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
Europe’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance thus far is not a symbol of weakness or of the continent’s inability to summon the political energy to become more autonomous.
—Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
The inability to get Martin into a committee hearing seemed to mark a kind of ending.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
Miller’s inability to recall the day’s events inspired Mendoza to reconstruct them meticulously.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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But there’s a catch: Roughly 50% of the population suffers from vitamin D insufficiency.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
17 Apr. 2025
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France: Enhancing diets There’s perhaps no better sign of the incomplete progress made on nutrition than the resurgence of diseases of nutritional insufficiency that should be easy to eradicate.—
Christine Ro,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Claims of incompetence may shield responsible parties from criminal charges but not civil penalties.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Just because there was no big red folder saying 'war plans' does not mean there was no classified information...and this excuse only serves to highlight the incompetence, immaturity, and lack of seriousness for one of the most serious positions in the US Government.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Outside of your job, take time to strengthen your incompetency by undergoing extra training and courses, and attending events if necessary.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
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It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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