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
Still others are depressed, resigned to the order’s demise but unable to imagine an alternative future.
—
Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
She was eventually found in a marsh with a leg injury and unable to walk, troopers said.
—Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
While Euro 2024 was a convenient excuse for tired and overworked police, unable to marshal incoming Leeds fans a year ago, that same excuse was not available this time.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 28 July 2025
The father, 73-year-old Floyd Hadley, called 911 but was unable to escape the July 21 blaze in Baytown, according to the Baytown Police Department.
—Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Stacie E. Goddard, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
She was eventually found in a marsh with a leg injury and unable to walk, troopers said.
—Paloma Chavez, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
While Euro 2024 was a convenient excuse for tired and overworked police, unable to marshal incoming Leeds fans a year ago, that same excuse was not available this time.
—Beren Cross, New York Times, 28 July 2025
The father, 73-year-old Floyd Hadley, called 911 but was unable to escape the July 21 blaze in Baytown, according to the Baytown Police Department.
—Mike Stunson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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Colonel McCall ruled that a fifth defendant, Ramzi bin al-Shibh, was mentally unfit to face trial, and severed him from the case.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
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The station said years later, federal prosecutors tried to refute her claims of being medically unfit, arguing a surveillance video showed Austin walking in and out of a salon without help.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
10 July 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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He was found incompetent to stand trial, which in the state of Colorado, means he must be released from custody, Padden's office told Fox News Digital earlier this month.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
22 July 2025
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Malfunctioning surveillance equipment, conveniently incompetent jail staff, and statements from individuals such as the mayor of New York and Epstein’s brother played roles in fomenting this coalition.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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An advance healthcare directive wouldn’t take effect unless your adult child were incapable of making decisions on their own.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
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The value of a public office not to be sold, is incapable of being ascertained; and the applicant has a right to the office itself, or to nothing.—
Liz Tracey,
JSTOR Daily,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
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