as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of inability
Wright was never known as a pure backup point guard, but his inability to generate offense for others has been alarming in his first 20-plus games with Milwaukee.
—
Brian Sampson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
At the time, Turner and Nist attributed their breakup to an inability to agree on a place to settle down, as the two live near their families in Indiana and New Jersey, respectively.
—Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, leaders who micromanage excessively can create toxic workplaces, because their inability to delegate can reduce efficiency and signal a lack of trust in their employees.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Much has been made about the Terps’ inability to limit the passing attack — because of a young and inexperienced secondary.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inability 
Brian Sampson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
At the time, Turner and Nist attributed their breakup to an inability to agree on a place to settle down, as the two live near their families in Indiana and New Jersey, respectively.
—Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 11 Dec. 2024
On the other hand, leaders who micromanage excessively can create toxic workplaces, because their inability to delegate can reduce efficiency and signal a lack of trust in their employees.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Much has been made about the Terps’ inability to limit the passing attack — because of a young and inexperienced secondary.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
-
These snug garments were once used primarily in medical contexts to improve circulation, especially in people with damage to their leg veins (say, due to a condition called chronic venous insufficiency).Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Renal insufficiency refers to a state in which the kidneys are not functioning at their full capacity.Robert Burakoff, Verywell Health, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
The history of medicine is too littered with incompetence and immorality to believe that doctors have always been worthy of this status.Dhruv Khullar, The New Yorker, 12 Dec. 2024
-
In a pre-dawn online news conference, an angry Sara Duterte accused Mr. Marcos of incompetence as a president and of being a liar, along with his wife and the House speaker in expletives-laden remarks.Jim Gomez, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Brown signed an incompetency finding last Wednesday.Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Nov. 2024
-
Any disagreements, incompetencies, and misunderstandings will cause visible damage to your home and your mental health during the process.Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near inability
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share