Synonyms of inability

inability

noun

ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

as in incapability

the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means

the apparent inability of young children to sit still

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incapability
• insufficiency
• incompetence
• incompetency
• incapacity
• disqualification
• impotence
• ineptitude
• powerlessness
• inadequacy
• inefficiency
• ineffectiveness
• inaptitude
• inefficacy
• ineffectuality
• ineffectualness
• inefficaciousness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ability
• capacity
• capability
• competence
• adequacy
• competency
• potency
• talent
• gift
• efficiency
• aptitude
• endowment
• knack
• genius
• effectiveness
• flair
• bent
• power
• strength
• suitability
• fitness
• potency
• efficaciousness
• effectualness
• suitableness
• sinew
• puissance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of inability

But the way they’re blended into companies’ tools also highlights consumers’ growing inability to assess whether their personal discussions with a brand’s chatbot are with AI made in China or in the US — a distinction Americans appear to care about. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

And virtually all of the war’s manifold failures flow from its inability to pass the tests that Weinberger introduced and that Powell fleshed out and put into practice. — Kori Schake, Foreign Affairs, 6 Aug. 2026

The uncertainty and her mother's inability to work have also strained the family's finances. — Tania Francois, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

And yet, besieged by the same afflictions of greed, self-interest and a comical inability to work together, horse racing is doing its damndest to similarly mess up its very good thing. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026