as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job
hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
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 incapable
Villanueva's letter warned that the aging system was incapable of meeting modern data collection requirements.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Jacqueline is incapable of serving her revenge either hot or cold, her responses are always in this lukewarm range that just spoils everyone’s appetite.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
Preverbal infants, orangutans, and all other creatures incapable of language are, by implication, powerless to perform many basic mental operations.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The massive popular revolt against the 2021 coup, particularly among young people who had thrived during the previous decade, demonstrates that that strategy in fact succeeded, if at enormous cost, as the Myanmar military appears incapable now of reasserting its control nationwide.
—Derek Mitchell, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incapable 
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
Jacqueline is incapable of serving her revenge either hot or cold, her responses are always in this lukewarm range that just spoils everyone’s appetite.
—Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 23 Dec. 2024
Preverbal infants, orangutans, and all other creatures incapable of language are, by implication, powerless to perform many basic mental operations.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
The massive popular revolt against the 2021 coup, particularly among young people who had thrived during the previous decade, demonstrates that that strategy in fact succeeded, if at enormous cost, as the Myanmar military appears incapable now of reasserting its control nationwide.
—Derek Mitchell, NPR, 23 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incapable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapable
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
And the protections shouldn't be such that someone who's incompetent is allowed to stay in a job.—
Mo Rocca,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The agency found Cardwell was grossly incompetent, but investigators declined to pursue criminal charges.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
When the Eaton Fire started 10 days ago, Martin was unable to find temporary housing nearby.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN,
18 Jan. 2025
-
In fact, the federal government is practically throwing cash in an incinerator by handing over blank checks to these predatory schools to begin with, only for courts to mandate debt elimination on the backend or borrowers driven into poverty by the schools rendered unable to pay back a penny.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapable. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share