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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Recent Examples of unable
As a result, the Hawks were dominated in their defensive zone and unable to get McDavid and company past the blue line.
—
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
They were left feeling trapped and vulnerable, unable to move on from State Farm.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
The most important person in this book is Chang's nonagenarian mother, to whom the book is dedicated and whom Chang has been unable to visit in China since 2018.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, Yabusele has proven unable to do that this season.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unable
Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
They were left feeling trapped and vulnerable, unable to move on from State Farm.
—J.c. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch, 13 Jan. 2026
The most important person in this book is Chang's nonagenarian mother, to whom the book is dedicated and whom Chang has been unable to visit in China since 2018.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 13 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, Yabusele has proven unable to do that this season.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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To receive one of these designations from a doctor in this era was to be marked as unfit for society and a candidate for potential institution and sterilization.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
6 Dec. 2025
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Families of victims, human rights defenders and international bodies such as the UN have criticized the commissions for a lack of transparency, for being ineffective and ultimately unfit for delivering accountability.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
30 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The venerable American clan at the center of the narrator’s reminiscences are wholly unfitted to the modern world and no longer endowed with the fortune that one of them brought home long ago on clipper ships.—
Daniel Akst,
WSJ,
2 Sep. 2022
Adjective
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In that case, he was found incompetent to stand trial and the case was referred to Hamilton County Probate Court.—
Quinlan Bentley,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
6 Jan. 2026
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In Indiana, there are five death row inmates, with one of the inmates being deemed incompetent to stand trial.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Today, however, these folks seem to be incapable of smiling while carrying out their governmental duties or speaking to the press or to Congress.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
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But regardless of the system the head coach plays, West Ham are incapable of keeping a clean sheet.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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