as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inability
That timeline is unprecedented, EPA staff on the ground told ProPublica, and has led to logistical headaches and an inability to gather community input on how to best approach the cleanup.
—
Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 14 Feb. 2025
Another area for future research is the degree to which a monkey’s inability to speak the words affects its learning.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2025
Russia’s position in Africa would also be damaged by the loss of the Syrian bases, which are key launch points for extending Russian power, and by Moscow’s evident inability to make a difference on the ground across the Sahel region in north-central Africa.
—Ronald H. Linden, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2025
For too many, desire to have children is far outweighed by the financial inability to do so.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 14 Feb. 2025
Another area for future research is the degree to which a monkey’s inability to speak the words affects its learning.
—Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 12 Feb. 2025
Russia’s position in Africa would also be damaged by the loss of the Syrian bases, which are key launch points for extending Russian power, and by Moscow’s evident inability to make a difference on the ground across the Sahel region in north-central Africa.
—Ronald H. Linden, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2025
For too many, desire to have children is far outweighed by the financial inability to do so.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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The risk for venous insufficiency rises with age, smoking, inactivity, and excess weight, among other factors.6 Compression socks prevent venous ulcers by promoting blood flow from the legs.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
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Conditions like varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency further hinder blood flow.—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There will also, no doubt, be a search for efficiency savings, and efforts to root out what Mr. Trump has called incompetence and corruption.—
Ned Temko,
The Christian Science Monitor,
13 Feb. 2025
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Trump’s approval rating never surpassed 50 percent during his first term, and a combination of incompetence, overreach, unpopular policies, and partisan polarization will likely limit his support during his second.—
STEVEN LEVITSKY,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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When pressed on such timelines during a Senate hearing in December 2024, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reiterated the issue isn’t a matter of corruption or incompetency, but federal support.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
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It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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