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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Recent Examples of incapable
This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.
—
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2026
Congress has proved incapable or unwilling to check this presidential unilateralism.
—Robert Haswell, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
According to a lawsuit filed by the family, a firearm was later found in Wilkins' pocket, but it was disassembled and incapable of being fired.
—Ash-Har Quraishi, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the teen's pocket was a firearm, but it was disassembled, in multiple pieces, and incapable of being fired, the suit says.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2026
Congress has proved incapable or unwilling to check this presidential unilateralism.
—Robert Haswell, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026
According to a lawsuit filed by the family, a firearm was later found in Wilkins' pocket, but it was disassembled and incapable of being fired.
—Ash-Har Quraishi, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
In the teen's pocket was a firearm, but it was disassembled, in multiple pieces, and incapable of being fired, the suit says.
—ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapable
Adjective
-
In October, the judge found that Conner was mentally unfit to testify in person at trial and allowed the recorded testimony, even though defense attorneys will not be able to cross-examine him in front of the jury.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
4 May 2026
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More than two years later, the trial concluded with 25 of 28 defendants being found guilty (of those not found guilty, two had died during the trial and another was declared mentally unfit for trial).—
USA Today,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
And these people in charge aren't just economically incompetent.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
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From an ideological standpoint, the new flag was introduced at the exact time the citizens of this state were just getting a grip on the outrageously incompetent management of the state’s money, dereliction that allowed billions of their tax dollars to be lost to fraud.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
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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
Adjective
-
The terrorist group has been largely decapitated and is unable to wage meaningful counter-warfare against Israel and its allies, but is believed to still boast significant caches of weaponry that could threaten the long-term peace of the future Palestine.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 May 2026
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The airline canceled all flights across its network and shut down customer service operations, leaving travelers stranded and unable to rebook directly through the carrier.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapable. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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