as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inability
One issue, however, has been the Crimson Tide’s inability to generate much pressure.
—
Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
My protagonist feels similarly sheepish about her inability to master another language.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Her inability to be anything less than authentic bleeds over into the film as a whole.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
The main reason for this market uproar lies in France’s inability to move forward with repairs to public finances.
—Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
My protagonist feels similarly sheepish about her inability to master another language.
—Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025
Her inability to be anything less than authentic bleeds over into the film as a whole.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
The main reason for this market uproar lies in France’s inability to move forward with repairs to public finances.
—Ana Nicolaci Da Costa, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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Chronic venous insufficiency, which is not considered a serious medical condition, is very common in older adults.—
ABC NEWS,
ABC News,
9 Oct. 2025
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His visit to the doctor comes after Trump in July was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency that has resulted in visible swelling in his lower legs near his ankles.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Legendary actress Vanessa Paradis turns in a remarkable performance as Anne, the director who takes it upon herself to investigate the murders after running up against police incompetence.—
Samantha Allen,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
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He may be frustrated by the lack of basic defensive discipline and shape and Messi may shake his head at the incompetence behind him, but the choices made in roster construction just can’t always be compensated for by the boys from Barcelona.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Maybe that data suggests incompetency in the sporting director role.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The National Geographic series dives into footage and narratives from officials leading the disaster response at the time, revealing incompetencies and false information from the media that cost locals their lives.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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