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
The odds of the Dolphins becoming the fifth -- joining the 1970 Bengals, 2015 Chiefs, 2018 Colts, and 2020 Commanders -- seem slim, especially in the wake of Tyreek Hill’s Week 4 season-ending knee injury and the Dolphins’ inability to stop the run.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Aside from Hill’s uncertain status and because of Hart’s inability to play until December, the Knights will ,for the time being, have to resort to Akira Schmid as their starting netminder.
—Greg Liodice, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Bianca is bookended by two songs that allude to her inability to connect with something bigger than herself.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
But with the inability to do live shows for much of 2020-2021, and the meteoric growth of Matt Rife’s social media presence, many stand-ups swallowed their pride and bought a tripod.
—David Zucker, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2025
Aside from Hill’s uncertain status and because of Hart’s inability to play until December, the Knights will ,for the time being, have to resort to Akira Schmid as their starting netminder.
—Greg Liodice, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
Bianca is bookended by two songs that allude to her inability to connect with something bigger than herself.
—Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
But with the inability to do live shows for much of 2020-2021, and the meteoric growth of Matt Rife’s social media presence, many stand-ups swallowed their pride and bought a tripod.
—David Zucker, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
-
In July, the president was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency that has resulted in visible swelling in his lower legs near his ankles.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
11 Oct. 2025
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Chronic venous insufficiency, which is not considered a serious medical condition, is very common in older adults.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The agents at Slough House are renowned for the incompetence that landed them there, but there have been, of course, plenty of times when their instincts are sound, their actions are noble, and they’re wildly underestimated, just like their flatulent boss.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
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That was straight Nathaniel Hackett level incompetence.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The National Geographic series dives into footage and narratives from officials leading the disaster response at the time, revealing incompetencies and false information from the media that cost locals their lives.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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