as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
her entrenched incapacity for decision-making doesn't make her a very good boss
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Recent Examples of incapacity
Yet in the end, the BRICS’ joint statement, published several days after the bombing, was remarkably vague, failing even to mention Israel or the United States, revealing the grouping’s incapacity to speak with one voice.
—
Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
The problem, in other words, is not fiscal incapacity but political choice.
—James Sample, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
As the world becomes ever more complex, apparently the list of individual incapacities has grown.
—Jim Nowlan, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The executives have chuckled at the team’s seeming complacency and incapacity for change, which culminated in a 43-119 record in 2025, a finish that put the club on par with the 2024 Chicago White Sox and 1962 New York Mets in terms of futility.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
The problem, in other words, is not fiscal incapacity but political choice.
—James Sample, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2025
As the world becomes ever more complex, apparently the list of individual incapacities has grown.
—Jim Nowlan, Mercury News, 23 Oct. 2025
The executives have chuckled at the team’s seeming complacency and incapacity for change, which culminated in a 43-119 record in 2025, a finish that put the club on par with the 2024 Chicago White Sox and 1962 New York Mets in terms of futility.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacity
inability
Noun
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Punch was the best big man on the floor with 24 points and 10 rebounds, but Edmonds’ inability to make an impact with just five points played a big role in TCU falling.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
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Rozman has been teaching chess for years, and in his experience, chess obliterates a kid’s inability to cope with defeat.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacity. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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