INABILITIES Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

inability

noun

ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of inability

as in incapability

the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means the apparent inability of young children to sit still

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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 Europe’s unwillingness or inability to reckon with colonialism may explain its strange, even pathological identification with the anxieties of its former subjects. — Faisal Devji, Time, 11 Sep. 2026 When acute psychosis strikes, or when a person experiences anosognosia — the neurological inability to recognize one’s own illness — expecting them to self-navigate a crisis hotline is not a safety net. — Kerry Martin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026 Venezuela’s problem has not been a shortage of economists capable of designing sophisticated monetary and fiscal regimes, but its inability to follow strict rules in good times and bad. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 The same month, Cooper touched on Earle’s exit in a post on TikTok, writing that Alix’s inability to podcast had nothing to do with Unwell. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability

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

However, Pope Leo is correct in emphasizing the insufficiency of AI ethics in the abstract.

— Thomas A. Hemphill, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 July 2026
The results were consistent across most states lower rates of sleep insufficiency were associated with longer life expectancy.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

Definition of insufficiency

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

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inability

in a breeze

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“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of inability

noun

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