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
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Recent Examples of inability
In March 2026, a detainee escaped from the facility, which ICE officials blamed on the contractors' inability to track people housed there.
—
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The world is laughing at our inability to count votes in a timely manner.
—Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 9 June 2026
On the latest episode of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart reflected on Donald Trump‘s inability to deal with the press after the president stormed out of an interview on Meet the Press over the weekend.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
The inability to reach the pinnacle led Jones to request a trade out of Connecticut — a move that was justified two years later with the Liberty’s 2024 title-winning season.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 9 June 2026
The world is laughing at our inability to count votes in a timely manner.
—Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 9 June 2026
On the latest episode of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart reflected on Donald Trump‘s inability to deal with the press after the president stormed out of an interview on Meet the Press over the weekend.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2026
The inability to reach the pinnacle led Jones to request a trade out of Connecticut — a move that was justified two years later with the Liberty’s 2024 title-winning season.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
Some were permanently dismissed due to statute of limitations or legal insufficiency, while others were temporary on legal grounds, meaning Pines' lawyers can attempt to correct them.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
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There’s a temptation to call such men too big for their boots, but Henri is too small for his, and Arlaud is so good at projecting that insufficiency, yet still being riveting to watch.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Wardex's incompetence is another bugbear.—
Ian Stokes,
Space.com,
12 June 2026
-
California’s slow counting process is not the result of incompetence or an unexpected surge in turnout.—
Matt Klink,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
The longer the delay, the more the system risks turning temporary incompetency into long-term confinement.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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