inability

noun

ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce inability (audio)
Definition of inabilitynext
as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means the apparent inability of young children to sit still

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of inability Emotional dysregulation, or difficulty or inability to manage the emotions, isn’t formally recognized as a core ADHD symptom. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026 Early success and early fame can sometimes impart a kind of cultural tunnel vision—an inability to look beyond the next project, or an insecurity when speaking beyond what’s coming up. — Alice Robb, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2026 Ivan Bates, who slammed the inability to get justice for the family, also addressed juvenile accountability in his new Beyond the Status Quo podcast with DJS Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino. — Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Blumenkranz also waved away doubts about blue-chip galleries’ inability to build a network of collectors among the Bay Area’s tech industry. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
  1. incapability
  2. insufficiency
  3. incompetence
  4. incompetency
Noun
  • This could reflect in features such as automation incapabilities, ​incompetent workflow designs, overreliance on legacy infrastructure and lack of alignment in financial transformation.
    — Dr. Saheer Nelliparamban, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Trump’s command of Congress owes to the incapability of many politicians to see beyond the next election.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of incapability
Noun
  • Stoughton broadly recommends any kind of standing water activity for anyone looking to avoid vein issues or even counteract early-stage venous insufficiency.
    — Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Products like Creon, Zenpep, Pancreaze, Pertzye, Ultresa and Viokace are typically prescribed for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the body does not produce enough enzymes on its own.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of insufficiency
Noun
  • The pressure to deliver will be a lot more on Man United players, as defender Lisandro Martínez hit out at the club’s top management for their incompetence following a loss to Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League tie on Tuesday.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Ah, the quaint days of 2004, when millions of people would crowd into theaters to watch a documentary about geopolitical incompetence.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of incompetence
Noun
  • Court records show DeFoor has a history of criminal cases involving findings of mental incompetency.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Those forms are not pertinent to the finding of incompetency and are therefore subject to the open records law, Ziegler and Bradley wrote.
    — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
Definition of incompetency

Browse Nearby Words

in
inability
in a breeze
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Cite this Entry

“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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