unable

adjective

un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
: not able : incapable: such as

Examples of unable in a Sentence

I was unable to afford the trip. He was unable to play tennis after the injury.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
While some had their health care removed due to ineligibility, many were simply prevented from renewing policies or unable to complete their redeterminations due to delays or other administrative difficulties. Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025 People at the bottom of the economic ladder will probably feel any penny pinch the most, as they are either unbanked or unable to access debit or credit cards or a digital wallet. Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2025 Police have run into problems where driverless vehicles don’t respond to hand signals from officers directing traffic, and the city has been unable to issue tickets to the vehicles, according to a spokesperson for Austin’s Transportation and Public Works department. Chris Kirkham and Abhirup Roy, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025 OpenAI started as a nonprofit but with charitable donations alone unable to fund the billions needed to grow artificial intelligence, Altman created a subsidiary to take on third-party investors, an entity that is still controlled by the nonprofit board. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unable 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unable was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near unable

Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

unable

adjective
un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
ˈən-
: not able : incapable

More from Merriam-Webster on unable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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