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
Israel’s inability to destroy Hamas’s tunnels has led increasingly to efforts to obliterate everything above ground in Gaza.
—
Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
The defense’s inability to slow Patrick Mahomes and company even a little was equally concerning and will deserve its own correction session at Halas Hall as the regular season closes in.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
What’s the excuse for this Niners team’s inability to execute simple things — on both sides of the ball — in this year’s training camp?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
Signs of dehydration can include dry mouth, the inability to produce tears and clammy skin.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Leila Seurat, Foreign Affairs, 26 Aug. 2025
The defense’s inability to slow Patrick Mahomes and company even a little was equally concerning and will deserve its own correction session at Halas Hall as the regular season closes in.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
What’s the excuse for this Niners team’s inability to execute simple things — on both sides of the ball — in this year’s training camp?
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Aug. 2025
Signs of dehydration can include dry mouth, the inability to produce tears and clammy skin.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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This is called thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS).7 Other symptoms may also be more likely if another health condition is causing your scoliosis.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
10 Aug. 2025
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Outside of cases in which there are specific diseases causing adrenal insufficiency, there is no evidence that somehow the adrenal glands get overwhelmed and lose their ability to function.—
Faye Chiu,
CNN Money,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The fact that Montreal’s defining MLS traits have been impatience and inconsistency give fans every reason to suspect incompetence until proven otherwise even without the bright red flashing light of supposed nepotism.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
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Another concerning possibility is that, when actions consistently prioritize special interests over the public good, incompetence can morph into something else— a line Lamont’s approach teeters on the brink of crossing.—
Frank Ricci,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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If Black and Middlebrooks plan to make that challenge, their lawyers must file petitions alleging incompetency between May 27-29 for Black and between July 7-9 for Middlebrooks.—
Evan Mealins,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Mar. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
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