unable

adjective

ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
Definition of unablenext
Enter your own sentence containing unable , and get words to replace it.
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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

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Example 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 In an interview late last year with infectious disease news site Contagion Live, Pfizer’s head of discovery and early development Charlotte Allerton was hopeful this new antiviral iteration could help a significant cohort of vulnerable patients who were previously unable to take Paxlovid. — Rich Haridy, New Atlas, 18 Mar. 2025 One entire episode is a conversation between Jamie and a child psychologist who is tasked with answering what detectives and his parents have been unable to – why? — Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025 Without enough protein, your body may be unable to produce hormones essential for growth, energy, and reproduction. — Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 18 Mar. 2025 As Liv Morgan and Naomi prepared to start the match, Cargill stormed in, targeting Naomi with a vicious kick against the chamber wall, leaving her unable to compete. — Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
  1. unfit
  2. incompetent
  3. incapable
Adjective
  • Entering 2025, the club responded during the January transfer window by replacing players unfit for Fabregas' tactical system with ten new signings, including Maxence Caqueret (Lyon), Assane Diao (Real Betis) and Barcelona loanee Alex Valle.
    — David Ferrini, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But both those cases were dismissed after he was found unfit to stand trial, said a spokeswoman for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • Long Bright River, whose eight-episode season will stream in full on March 13, is neither a transcendent nor an incompetent example of this type of show.
    — Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Of course, people love making memes that portray their political adversaries as hapless and incompetent.
    — Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of incompetent
Adjective
  • In those moments, the human element that leaders bring to the table—sometimes referred to as their gut instinct—provides guidance that data is incapable of delivering.
    — Anar Mammadov, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The type of flexible thinking that Maresca and his dogma is totally incapable of.
    — Thom Harris, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of incapable

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unable
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Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of unable for Spanish Speakers

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