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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Declaring an inability to pay may also hold different weight depending on what county the defendant is being arraigned in. — Evelyn Ronan, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026 During that grueling 17-day run, the Brewers encountered some criticism for their inability to acquire two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. — Steve Megargee, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026 While Waymo aims for robotaxis to replace car ownership, current issues like long waits and the inability to easily store personal items hinder this long-term vision. — Brad Templeton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 The Democratic National Committee's autopsy of why the party lost the 2024 election, released this year, cited Harris' inability to energize voters as one of the reasons. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 16 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • The archipelago has faced a drought that has led to severe water shortages in many cities, with government and agency incompetence (or worse, corruption) accused of worsening an already fraught crisis.
    — Juan J. Arroyo, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026
  • That is inaccurate, not what the investigation covers, and viral posts on X are misleading people either through incompetence or purposefully misleading information.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of incompetence
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

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 Aug. 2026.

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