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
Safety officials said poor weather conditions in the area prevented helicopter flights, and state troopers, avalanche experts and recovery teams were unable to assess the slide area for recovery options.
—
Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
The man bailed out of jail, but was obviously unable to continue working while the case was pending.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
This immediate financial support is crucial for families facing economic hardship, with one in four Connecticut residents unable to meet their basic needs and more than 15,000 babies born into poverty each year.
—Darrick Hamilton, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
Mizzou cut that deficit to five — with chances to get closer in the final minute — but was unable to complete the second-half comeback.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
The man bailed out of jail, but was obviously unable to continue working while the case was pending.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
This immediate financial support is crucial for families facing economic hardship, with one in four Connecticut residents unable to meet their basic needs and more than 15,000 babies born into poverty each year.
—Darrick Hamilton, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
Mizzou cut that deficit to five — with chances to get closer in the final minute — but was unable to complete the second-half comeback.
—Maddie Hartley, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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Entering 2025, the club responded during the January transfer window by replacing players unfit for Fabregas' tactical system with ten new signings, including Maxence Caqueret (Lyon), Assane Diao (Real Betis) and Barcelona loanee Alex Valle.—
David Ferrini,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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But both those cases were dismissed after he was found unfit to stand trial, said a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Anyone can file a petition in probate court in Florida seeking to declare an adult incompetent to handle their own affairs, though, typically, such petitions are submitted by family members worried their elderly relatives can no longer care for themselves.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2025
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But Marshall can’t do it alone and teams up with his former high school lab partner Frances Applewhite (voiced by Emily Pendergast), who works for a sinking pharmaceutical company as the assistant to incompetent CEO Rick Kruger (voiced by executive producer Mike Judge).—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Child and Dependent Care Credit: Provides a credit for a percentage of expenses paid for the care of qualifying individuals, such as children under 13 or a spouse or dependent who is incapable of self-care, to enable the taxpayer to work or look for work.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
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The apartment belongs to Booth, who doesn’t work and seems incapable of holding down a job.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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