incapacity
noun
in·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 
-ˈpa-stē
plural incapacities
: the quality or state of being incapable
especially
: lack of physical or intellectual power or of natural or legal qualifications
Examples of incapacity in a Sentence
I'm aware of my weaknesses and incapacities.
her entrenched incapacity for decision-making doesn't make her a very good boss
Recent Examples on the Web
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, 9 May 2025
The President’s ironclad hegemony had become a pathetic circus of blunders until the IMF deal, threatening to prove campaign predictions of amateurism and incapacity to govern true, just as the campaign for the midterm elections gets under way.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The conjunction of crushing needs and the state's incapacity created fertile ground for NGOs: even before the quake, there were around 10,000 of them in the country.
—Paul Collier, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
But that has historically been interpreted as misconduct or incapacity, not policy disagreements.
—Nik Popli, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
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Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 9 May 2025
The President’s ironclad hegemony had become a pathetic circus of blunders until the IMF deal, threatening to prove campaign predictions of amateurism and incapacity to govern true, just as the campaign for the midterm elections gets under way.
—Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
The conjunction of crushing needs and the state's incapacity created fertile ground for NGOs: even before the quake, there were around 10,000 of them in the country.
—Paul Collier, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
But that has historically been interpreted as misconduct or incapacity, not policy disagreements.
—Nik Popli, Time, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Cite this Entry
“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacity. Accessed 19 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incapacity
noun
in·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ət-ē
-ˈpas-tē
plural incapacities
: lack of ability or power
Legal Definition
incapacity
noun
in·ca·pac·i·ty
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē
plural incapacities
1
: the quality or state of being incapable
especially
: lack of legal qualifications due to age or mental condition compare capacity
2
: the inability of an injured worker to perform the duties required in a job for which he or she is qualified compare disability sense 1
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