as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Recent Examples of inability
And then a combination of a string of penalties and an inability to kill them torpedoed those prospects.
—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
There are consequences when the U.S. lacks a formal seat at the table – namely, the government’s inability to oppose decisions that may be bad for our economy.
—Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
No contact for days, terrible, awful stories coming in, running on fumes, little sleep, the shock of his mom’s death, fear for his dad’s safety, inability to communicate, all of that bursts out in the tears of this moment.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
And while injuries haven't been a problem so far this season, his inability to create offense has been.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Daniel Nugent-Bowman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
There are consequences when the U.S. lacks a formal seat at the table – namely, the government’s inability to oppose decisions that may be bad for our economy.
—Kristen Edgreen Kaufman, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
No contact for days, terrible, awful stories coming in, running on fumes, little sleep, the shock of his mom’s death, fear for his dad’s safety, inability to communicate, all of that bursts out in the tears of this moment.
—Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
And while injuries haven't been a problem so far this season, his inability to create offense has been.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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The pope was also diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and then mild renal insufficiency.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
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Any form of neck manipulation should only be performed by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or a licensed Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) after a thorough examination to rule out risk factors such as vertebral artery insufficiency or elevated stroke risk.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Its canny use of Sérgio’s awkwardness and incompetence to comedic effect also feels like if Alex Ross Perry brought his sense of humor to bear on socio-conscious drama.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
17 May 2025
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Read’s lawyers say she was framed for O'Keefe's murder and, in opening statements, said the investigation was riddled with error, bias, incompetence and deceit.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Outside of your job, take time to strengthen your incompetency by undergoing extra training and courses, and attending events if necessary.—
Rachel Wells,
Forbes.com,
5 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.
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