incapacity

noun

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 

-ˈpa-stē

plural incapacities

: the quality or state of being incapable

especially : lack of physical or intellectual power or of natural or legal qualifications

Synonyms

• impotence
• inability
• inadequacy
• incapability
• incompetence
• incompetency
• ineptitude
• insufficiency
• powerlessness

Examples of incapacity in a Sentence

I'm aware of my weaknesses and incapacities.

her entrenched incapacity for decision-making doesn't make her a very good boss

Recent Examples on the Web

Whether for the two brothers or the mother, the movie is infused with this incapacity to express emotions and talk to each other. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 11 Sep. 2024

The authors note that the PA’s vast corruption contributes to its incapacity. —Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2024

In the same month, the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), shared that at least 20,000 incapacity benefit claims are for mental health problems, which is more than two–thirds of all claims made. —Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 19 Mar. 2024

East Asian countries, panicked by China’s control over their supply routes in the East China Sea and by America’s unwillingness or incapacity to protect them, might embark on a nuclear-arms race. —Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French incapacité, from Middle French, from in- + capacité capacity

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

incapacity

noun

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ət-ē 

-ˈpas-tē

plural incapacities

: lack of ability or power

Legal Definition

incapacity

noun

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​ty ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-tē 

plural incapacities

1

: the quality or state of being incapable

especially : lack of legal qualifications due to age or mental condition compare capacity

2

: the inability of an injured worker to perform the duties required in a job for which he or she is qualified compare disability sense 1