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
Washington and Colorado's programs have run into challenges, including a lack of participation from clinicians, hospitals, and other care providers, as well as insurers' inability to meet rate reduction benchmarks or lower premiums compared with other plans offered on the market.
—
Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Lawyers also questioned whether Zuckerberg previously lied about the board’s inability to fire him in a courtroom on Wednesday.
—Samantha Subin,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Willis’ primary weakness remains his inability to throw over the middle of the field, something that must improve going forward.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Common symptoms include a loss of balance, causing falls that can lead to injury, and an inability to aim or focus eyes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Lawyers also questioned whether Zuckerberg previously lied about the board’s inability to fire him in a courtroom on Wednesday.
—Samantha Subin,jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026
Willis’ primary weakness remains his inability to throw over the middle of the field, something that must improve going forward.
—Zac Jackson, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Common symptoms include a loss of balance, causing falls that can lead to injury, and an inability to aim or focus eyes.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 17 Feb. 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
-
Many ideas that were rejected in the past receive new life upon a surprising new observation; many ideas that are accepted today will be overthrown when a key experimental result demonstrates its insufficiency.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
-
In 2019, insufficiency notices soared because of tariffs related to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.—
Lori Ann LaRocco,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
As for the district admininistrative employees, one was allowed to resign at her leisure, without consequences, and others remain employed despite their incompetence.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
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Why did incompetence feel like the right way in?—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
18 Feb. 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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