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 This apparent inability to distinguish ourselves from a stranger is just another piece of the body dysmorphia pie social media has served up. — Nicole Karlis, Allure, 14 Aug. 2026 Adkinson says that this stems from an inability to build rapport with immigrant communities. — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Living in fear of ‘the AIDS’ entails its own ‘long set of disappearing acts’—not just sickness and death, but shame and denial and an inability to mourn. — Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026 The sophistication of model subterfuge that OpenAI has now disclosed, combined with OpenAI’s inability to detect or stop the hacking, suggests far worse could be to come. — Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 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

It’s been a classic staple over decades of British comedy, which from Basil Fawlty to David Brent has rejoiced in puncturing pomposity to reveal idiocy and incompetence.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Leaders often face dangerous blind spots, not from incompetence, but from strengths like confidence and decisiveness becoming liabilities.

— Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 1 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

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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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of inability

noun

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