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
Many who lived through the pandemic—and witnessed this inability to combat the lethal pestilence—developed scornful opinions of the medical profession.
—
Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The inability to be fast is going to harm everybody in the digital space.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The Oilers have shown an inability to identify free-agent talent that can flourish in Edmonton.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Asian needle ants can easily be told apart from other ant types by their inability to cling to smooth surfaces like glass.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Literary Hub, 27 May 2026
The inability to be fast is going to harm everybody in the digital space.
—Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
The Oilers have shown an inability to identify free-agent talent that can flourish in Edmonton.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Asian needle ants can easily be told apart from other ant types by their inability to cling to smooth surfaces like glass.
—Jane Kim, The Spruce, 24 May 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
-
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
-
The statement, however, does note some insufficiencies occurred on the part of its board.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
This is not an office known for its incompetence.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Not using it signals incompetence; using it signals very little.—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
27 May 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 2 Jun. 2026.
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