as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
a celebrated author of serious plays, he turned out to be a particularly unable writer of comedies
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unable
The most alarming budget cut is the $200 million reduction in funding for the Developmental Disabilities Administration, which provides vital services to Maryland’s most vulnerable residents, many of whom are unable to advocate for themselves.
—
J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2025
However for the past five years, David has been unable to work as a performer.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2025
Organizations described being locked out of systems and unable to access funds.
—Maryalice Parks, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Due to the stroke, according to the lawsuit, Rhines appeared confused and was unable to follow the orders of officers who accused her of being uncooperative.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unable 
J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 11 Feb. 2025
However for the past five years, David has been unable to work as a performer.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2025
Organizations described being locked out of systems and unable to access funds.
—Maryalice Parks, ABC News, 8 Feb. 2025
Due to the stroke, according to the lawsuit, Rhines appeared confused and was unable to follow the orders of officers who accused her of being uncooperative.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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In my view, Darren Beattie is grotesquely unfit to represent the United States.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
6 Feb. 2025
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But the new order goes further by laying out controversial claims that transgender people could be inherently unfit to serve because the process of transitioning to a new gender often involves drugs that could impact readiness.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Republicans stand in solidarity, voting for incompetent Cabinet picks, while Democrats are barred from entering the U.S. Agency for International Development building, which Musk shut down.—
Christine Ledbetter,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
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The difference in expertise is often shocking, which is one reason so many appeals cite incompetent representation.—
Lawrence Wright,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Arsenal looked incapable of laying a glove anywhere near even a space recently vacated by a City player, who were 3-0 up by half-time.—
Amy Lawrence,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
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Sadly, these events exposed how deficient, inefficient, incompetent and incapable California’s government is.—
William Choslovsky,
Orlando Sentinel,
25 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unable
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 24 Feb. 2025.
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