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
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 unable
The cards are a liability for the company trying to sell itself out of bankruptcy and likely unable to foot the bill for eight-figures worth of gift certificates—some of which date back to 2003, according to court filings.
—
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Despite these objections, the Washington D.C. appeals court said the CFTC was unable to provide substantial evidence demonstrating that these markets would cause significant harm to the public interest.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verstappen, on the other hand, was unfortunate, a crash by Lance Stroll meaning the session was stopped and the Dutchman was unable to finish his quick lap in Q2.
—Jamie Barton, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
However, the case hit another standstill when the jury was unable to reach a verdict on voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a mistrial.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unable 
Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
Despite these objections, the Washington D.C. appeals court said the CFTC was unable to provide substantial evidence demonstrating that these markets would cause significant harm to the public interest.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Verstappen, on the other hand, was unfortunate, a crash by Lance Stroll meaning the session was stopped and the Dutchman was unable to finish his quick lap in Q2.
—Jamie Barton, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
However, the case hit another standstill when the jury was unable to reach a verdict on voluntary manslaughter, resulting in a mistrial.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
-
In my view, Trump is grossly unfit to be president, in both mind and character — especially the latter.Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 5 Nov. 2024
-
The former Trump employee, who has a Harvard Law School degree, has campaigned against Trump during the election, branding him unfit for office.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Lindsey, the initial lead prosecutor on the Morphew case, testified against Stanley during a two-week disciplinary hearing in June, portraying her as an incompetent and disengaged leader.Shelly Bradbury, The Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2024
-
In this light The Favourite, a satire about an incompetent female ruler, is greeted very differently.Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
It had initially been thought this was a sign of affection toward their owners, or a gift to their owner who is incapable of hunting themselves.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
-
After a search that included Doris Day (deemed not spontaneous enough) and Elizabeth Taylor (deemed incapable of singing), Gaynor was chosen.Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unable
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share