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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incapacity
In practice, these gaps often surface at the worst possible time—when leadership is already disrupted by an unexpected incapacity or death.
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Fennemore,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
In New Jersey, lawmakers are considering a bill to amend a state law that allows parents to nominate standby, or temporary, guardians in the cases of death, incapacity, or debilitation.
—
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
An attorney who worked on the case was struck by the number of judicial decisions that were made without any finding of incapacity.
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Jc Hallman,
Oklahoma Watch,
22 Mar. 2026
Only adult citizens would count, including those who, in some states, are not eligible to vote because of a felony conviction or their mental incapacity.
—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Fennemore,
Oc Register,
30 Apr. 2026
In New Jersey, lawmakers are considering a bill to amend a state law that allows parents to nominate standby, or temporary, guardians in the cases of death, incapacity, or debilitation.
—
CNN Money,
15 Apr. 2026
An attorney who worked on the case was struck by the number of judicial decisions that were made without any finding of incapacity.
—
Jc Hallman,
Oklahoma Watch,
22 Mar. 2026
Only adult citizens would count, including those who, in some states, are not eligible to vote because of a felony conviction or their mental incapacity.
—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacity
inability
Noun
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On Tuesday, protesters were asked to bring diapers and write demands for Pradhan’s resignation on them – a satirical swipe at the government’s inability to stop exam leaks, Dipke said.
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This latest collapse, one where the bullpen allowed seven runs over three innings and Caleb Kilian allowed four in the ninth, serves as the latest example of the front office’s inability to reinforce a bullpen that needed reinforcements this winter.
Cite this Entry
“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacity. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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