as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inability
The whole movie is in Spanish — Ferrell’s inability to speak Spanish actually does get funnier as the movie goes along — and it’s shot like an old Mexican melodrama, with extreme close-ups and exclamations to the camera.
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Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
His inability to buy anything — the Feds are even blocking a tiny exercise option for Meta users — is trapping him into growing by shrinking.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Supporters have become frustrated at their side’s inability to compete for the Saudi Pro League title — Al Nassr are third, eight points behind joint leaders Al Hilal and Al Ittihad (also owned by PIF).
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
Yet LaVine has flown under the radar for most of this season, a product of his team’s inability to pull above .500 in the weaker conference.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inability 
Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
His inability to buy anything — the Feds are even blocking a tiny exercise option for Meta users — is trapping him into growing by shrinking.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2025
Supporters have become frustrated at their side’s inability to compete for the Saudi Pro League title — Al Nassr are third, eight points behind joint leaders Al Hilal and Al Ittihad (also owned by PIF).
—James McNicholas, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
Yet LaVine has flown under the radar for most of this season, a product of his team’s inability to pull above .500 in the weaker conference.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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The risk for venous insufficiency rises with age, smoking, inactivity, and excess weight, among other factors.6 Compression socks prevent venous ulcers by promoting blood flow from the legs.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
3 Feb. 2025
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Conditions like varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency further hinder blood flow.—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Jimmy Garoppolo profited from exposure to 49ers’ system The Commanders, thankfully shorn of the oppressive incompetence of former owner Daniel Snyder, were remade in a year by G.M. Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2025
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There are potential mitigating factors: infighting or incompetence within Christian nationalist and MAGA circles, the role of the courts, resistance within government agencies and at the local and state levels.—
John Blake,
CNN,
12 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 19 Feb. 2025.
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