INCAPABLE Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

incapable

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl

Definition of incapable

as in unfit

lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of incapable Treating emptiness as sophistication becomes incapable of distinguishing moral from aesthetic judgment. — Frank Porcu, New York Daily News, 20 Sep. 2026 Robinson also helped advise Lizzie on her appearance, coaching her to appear more innocent, more feminine and incapable of committing such a horrific crime. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 Much of that came in a dreadful first half, where the Bills scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and the Lions' defense looked incapable of stopping anything. — Christian Romo, Freep.com, 18 Sep. 2026 At her job, Sofia meets a young, up-and-coming American author (Patrick Schwarzenegger) who seems incapable of answering any question without giving her a long, piercing look first. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incapable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapable

Adjective

Separately, the Independent Football Regulator has the powers to force club owners to sell and can withhold a license to operate if they are deemed unfit.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
In the meantime, a judge repeatedly deemed James mentally unfit for criminal proceedings.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

If Thompson was found to be incompetent due to a mental condition, he likely won’t ever be executed.

— Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 8 Oct. 2026
In April, a judge found Rodriquez Singh incompetent to stand trial and ordered her to undergo treatment at a state hospital intended to restore her competency.

— Doug Myers, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of incompetent

Adjective

Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.

— Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
The venerable American clan at the center of the narrator’s reminiscences are wholly unfitted to the modern world and no longer endowed with the fortune that one of them brought home long ago on clipper ships.

— Daniel Akst, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022

Definition of unfitted

Adjective

However, Efthymiou has been unable to get GBP100,000 (about $130,000) to perform the initial mouse-model study.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
That borrowing spree, in turn, could present a risk to large Wall Street firms if clients are unable to pay them back.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026