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.
That would leave the chamber stuck and unable to unlock the fast-track reconciliation process to bypass a filibuster. Peter Sullivan, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025 Several key figures - see Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker - are now into the twilights of their respective careers and so Guardiola’s team have been unable to play its usual style of high-energy, high-intensity soccer. Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025 With migrants now unable to seek legal ways of entering the U.S. through the asylum process, advocates anticipate that more will begin to risk their lives by attempting to enter illegally through more remote and dangerous terrain. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025 Two years after California’s Democratic leaders declared victory over big oil with a law aiming to crack down on industry profits, the state has been unable to prove companies engage in price gouging when the cost of gasoline spikes in California. Nicole Nixon, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable. Accessed 12 Apr. 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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