as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Recent Examples of inability
Left unchecked, those feelings can worsen into sleepless nights, a loss of appetite, inability to focus, impaired relationships, depression and even physical illness.
—
Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
For her, the excuses about lack of access to quality textile waste are exactly that—excuses that are really about a company’s inability to turn a quick buck.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Jan. 2026
In 1978, exasperated by her inability to secure gallery representation for Broodthaers, Goodman launched Marian Goodman Gallery at 38 East Fifty-Seventh Street.
—News Desk, Artforum, 27 Jan. 2026
What’s more, inability to heal these relationships can be detrimental to physical and emotional well-being, and even longevity.
—Richard Balkin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
For her, the excuses about lack of access to quality textile waste are exactly that—excuses that are really about a company’s inability to turn a quick buck.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 27 Jan. 2026
In 1978, exasperated by her inability to secure gallery representation for Broodthaers, Goodman launched Marian Goodman Gallery at 38 East Fifty-Seventh Street.
—News Desk, Artforum, 27 Jan. 2026
What’s more, inability to heal these relationships can be detrimental to physical and emotional well-being, and even longevity.
—Richard Balkin, The Conversation, 26 Jan. 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
-
Trump has attributed bruising on his hands to his heavy intake of aspirin to thin his blood and swollen ankles to chronic venous insufficiency.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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The impacts of vitamin K insufficiency in the newborn period can be serious.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Their faltering attempt at a total crackdown—which can’t muzzle the anger and bravery of ordinary people—and its general odor of malicious incompetence, is even seeping into the White House’s hermetic media echo chamber.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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After a 10-year investigation and five malpractice claims, the Iowa Board of Medicine has issued a warning to a Des Moines surgeon accused of incompetence and unprofessional and unethical conduct.—
Clark Kauffman,
Des Moines Register,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The District Attorney’s Office said a finding of incompetency does not dismiss the case or result in a defendant’s release, and that proceedings will resume if Mock is later deemed competent.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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