inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity

his inability to do math

Synonyms

• impotence
• inadequacy
• incapability
• incapacity
• incompetence
• incompetency
• ineptitude
• insufficiency
• powerlessness

Examples of inability in a Sentence

She has shown an inability to concentrate.

the inability of the government to cope with the problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Black and Hispanic Americans were twice as likely as white Americans to lose Medicaid last year because of an inability to complete renewal forms during a vast trimming of the program’s rolls, according to a study published on Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. —Noah Weiland, New York Times, 3 June 2024

Typically, a judge’s recusal points to a conflict of interest or an inability to remain impartial. —Jenna Barackman, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2024

As of now, experts said there’s little sign that the inability to refinance will cause a bust similar to the collapse of the 2000s housing bubble. —Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2024

And so, no matter how many people are dying from Israeli military operations, there are people dying every single day from an inability to access food and medicine. —CBS News, 26 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inhabilite disqualification, from Medieval Latin inhabilitas, from Latin in- + habilitas ability

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌin-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

: lack of ability, power, or means

his inability to carry a tune