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
Ratified in 1967, it was designed to address gaps in succession and clarify what happens in cases of death, resignation, or incapacity.
—
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
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, 11 Aug. 2025
Westcott, 85 — who was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a genetic brain disorder, in 2015 — cited mental incapacity as his reason for attempting to rescind the deal.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 27 June 2025
The incapacity of the agency has also been laced with corruption.
—Elizabeth Glazer, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
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, 11 Aug. 2025
Westcott, 85 — who was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a genetic brain disorder, in 2015 — cited mental incapacity as his reason for attempting to rescind the deal.
—Colson Thayer, People.com, 27 June 2025
The incapacity of the agency has also been laced with corruption.
—Elizabeth Glazer, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacity
inability
Noun
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That’s another example of this team’s inability to win on the margins.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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If there's been one issue for the Jets over the past few decades, it's been their inability to find a franchise quarterback.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacity. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
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