as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of inability
An inability to say ‘no’ One of the foundational principles of most work management systems is the minimization of ‘Work in Progress’.
—
Mark Settle, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Compounding this crisis in mental health is our inability to treat depression and anxiety effectively in most people.
—Kara Margolis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Scott, however, always loomed as the top option, becoming a high-priority target within the organization after the team’s inability to land Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams in a trade.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
In 1949, a grand jury convened to discuss the inability of LAPD’s homicide unit to solve murders, during which Short’s death was further investigated.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inability 
Mark Settle, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Compounding this crisis in mental health is our inability to treat depression and anxiety effectively in most people.
—Kara Margolis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Scott, however, always loomed as the top option, becoming a high-priority target within the organization after the team’s inability to land Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams in a trade.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
In 1949, a grand jury convened to discuss the inability of LAPD’s homicide unit to solve murders, during which Short’s death was further investigated.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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There are no laboratory tests that diagnose spider veins, but imaging tests may be ordered if chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is suspected.2 With CVI, the leg veins become damaged and do not allow the blood to flow back to the heart.—
Laura Schober,
Health,
12 Jan. 2025
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The 2021 Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey showed only nine percent of South Korean respondents—perhaps recognizing the insufficiency of this step—supported a U.S. deployment of nuclear weapons.—
Robert E. Kelly,
Foreign Affairs,
30 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The Internal Affairs investigation resulted in a sustained charge of incompetence against Officer Cardwell and JSO has begun termination proceedings for Officer Cardwell.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2025
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After a term marked by civil unrest, incompetence, moral and ethical failures, conspiracy theories, extremism, mismanaging COVID, and overseeing Republican losses in the House and the Senate, America was decidedly tired of Trump’s ineptitude and self-destructiveness.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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When pressed on such timelines during a Senate hearing in December 2024, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reiterated the issue isn’t a matter of corruption or incompetency, but federal support.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
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It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near inability
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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