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 Freeze looks like paralysis—the inability to move on a problem that clearly needs movement. — Joy Nissen, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Couric continued to ask the same questions over and over again, which led to her TGA diagnosis, a temporary inability to create new memories, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 Although the Ducks retained their most important young player, Verbeek’s inability to get a deal done before he was forced into it by Philadelphia will compromise Anaheim’s roster-building efforts this season and for years to come. — Greg Beacham, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Although the Ducks retained their most important young player, Verbeek’s inability to get a deal done before he was forced into it by the Flyers will compromise Anaheim’s roster-building efforts this season and for years to come. — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 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

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
The researchers found that insufficient sleep was significantly negatively correlated with life expectancy in most states across that time frame, meaning lower sleep insufficiency meant longer life expectancy.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

Definition of insufficiency

Noun

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
Federal agents have descended upon the home of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, the North Texas mom who was recently sent to a state hospital after an incompetency ruling in the murder of her young son.

— Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 12 May 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 17 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of inability

noun

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