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
incapable of understanding the task
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
incapable of telling a lie
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
Large language models now exhibit extraordinary linguistic competence while remaining wholly incapable of accountability.
—
Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Under current law, non-violent offenders who are incapable of proceeding in court but are not a harm to themselves or others are simply released.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Non-falsifiable and untestable hypotheses cannot be checked out, and hence those ideas are incapable of disproof.
—Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
Without a perfect balance of these elements, a rocky planet could appear habitable on the surface yet be fundamentally incapable of supporting biology, according to the study.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
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Deb Roy, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
Under current law, non-violent offenders who are incapable of proceeding in court but are not a harm to themselves or others are simply released.
—Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026
Non-falsifiable and untestable hypotheses cannot be checked out, and hence those ideas are incapable of disproof.
—Big Think, 10 Feb. 2026
Without a perfect balance of these elements, a rocky planet could appear habitable on the surface yet be fundamentally incapable of supporting biology, according to the study.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
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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