as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
a celebrated author of serious plays, he turned out to be a particularly unable writer of comedies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unable
Veterans were unable to successfully mobilize to advocate for the pensions, given their small numbers and internal divisions between more privileged officers and less privileged soldiers.
—
Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
On a broad scale, such risky practices could pose a risk to the financial system, since asset holders could demand repayment from issuers unable to cover the reimbursements.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 May 2025
The couple, who were in prisons 650 miles apart, were unable to write letters or speak on the phone to each other.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 May 2025
For two weeks prior to exams, the platform repeatedly crashed, leaving tens of thousands of teachers and students unable to access critical instructional tools.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Jamie Rowen, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
On a broad scale, such risky practices could pose a risk to the financial system, since asset holders could demand repayment from issuers unable to cover the reimbursements.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 May 2025
The couple, who were in prisons 650 miles apart, were unable to write letters or speak on the phone to each other.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 May 2025
For two weeks prior to exams, the platform repeatedly crashed, leaving tens of thousands of teachers and students unable to access critical instructional tools.
—Scott White, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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The man, 41, was taken to the hospital once the flight landed, and he was later arrested on suspicion of being unfit for duty, per the statement.—
Toria Sheffield,
People.com,
1 June 2025
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The trouble is, the president who insisted that Biden was unfit now encourages speculation about seeking a clearly unconstitutional third term.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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Mix Materials The beauty in the unfitted kitchen aesthetic is found in its collected look.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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The case stalled for years, in part due to concerns that Saleh was mentally incompetent to stand trial, court records show.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
24 May 2025
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The man accused of stalking Jennifer Aniston and crashing his car through her front gate was ruled incompetent for trial on Thursday but demanded a second opinion.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
New York Daily News,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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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,
27 May 2025
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Their wheezing offense looks wholly incapable of doing so the past five games.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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