incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl 
1
: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: such as
a
: not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent
incapable of understanding the task
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
incapable of telling a lie
c
archaic
: not able to take in, hold, or keep
d
archaic
: not receptive
2
: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified
Examples of incapable in a Sentence
hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite overwhelming superiority, Washington was incapable of building a stable, legitimate South Vietnamese government or recognizing the grit and resilience of the North Vietnamese forces.
—
Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
To make matters worse, her best friend, Sugar, becomes a wildly successful comedy writer who seems incapable—according to Barbara—of seeing the fundamental differences between their lives.
—Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
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, 13 Mar. 2026
The teams projected in the 8-9 range this year look incapable of making things interesting in the round of 32.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Monica Duffy Toft, The Conversation, 20 Mar. 2026
To make matters worse, her best friend, Sugar, becomes a wildly successful comedy writer who seems incapable—according to Barbara—of seeing the fundamental differences between their lives.
—Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
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, 13 Mar. 2026
The teams projected in the 8-9 range this year look incapable of making things interesting in the round of 32.
—Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl
: not able to do something
incapable of cleaning her room thoroughly
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
