incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl 
1
: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: such as
a
: not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
c
archaic
: not able to take in, hold, or keep
d
archaic
: not receptive
2
: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified
Examples of incapable in a Sentence
hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
Recent Examples on the Web
An advance healthcare directive wouldn’t take effect unless your adult child were incapable of making decisions on their own.
—
Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 30 July 2025
The value of a public office not to be sold, is incapable of being ascertained; and the applicant has a right to the office itself, or to nothing.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2025
The Rams might have drafted Terrance Ferguson for his receiving ability, but there was a time back in middle school when the rookie tight end was incapable of catching a football.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapable
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Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 30 July 2025
The value of a public office not to be sold, is incapable of being ascertained; and the applicant has a right to the office itself, or to nothing.
—Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 29 July 2025
This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 28 July 2025
The Rams might have drafted Terrance Ferguson for his receiving ability, but there was a time back in middle school when the rookie tight end was incapable of catching a football.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 28 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl
: not able to do something
incapable of cleaning her room thoroughly
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