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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unable
Other residents have reported being unable to receive food supplies, medicine or toiletries at the edge of their neighborhoods.
—
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Five months into the season, however, the former Bayern Munich and Germany manager has been unable to unleash a new Fati, and the real question now is whether those previous high hopes many had for him are gone for good.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Anthony and Justin both used wheelchairs and were unable to escape.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
The two began playing together, connecting through the game while being unable to do so in person.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unable 
Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
Five months into the season, however, the former Bayern Munich and Germany manager has been unable to unleash a new Fati, and the real question now is whether those previous high hopes many had for him are gone for good.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
Anthony and Justin both used wheelchairs and were unable to escape.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
The two began playing together, connecting through the game while being unable to do so in person.
—Barry Levitt, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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There are another 10 or so, such as Lil Joe, who are unfit for release after difficult histories.—
Kevin Spear,
Orlando Sentinel,
19 Jan. 2025
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Lee Monroe Straight-leg Jeans $43 $28 at Amazon Denim is notoriously unfit for traveling in, but reviewers say these Lee jeans are an exception.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Geyser was diagnosed the following August with childhood-onset schizophrenia and ruled incompetent to stand trial, a decision that was reversed that December.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2025
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In 2023, he was found medically incompetent to stand trial and removed from the case.—
Carol Rosenberg,
New York Times,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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One man allegedly unloaded his pistol into Mary, only to find that the bullets were incapable of penetrating her thick hide.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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In the 1980s, Washington was seized by the worry that American industry was incapable of competing with Japan’s economic juggernaut.—
Jude Blanchette,
Foreign Affairs,
7 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 Jan. 2025.
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