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
Without factoring in the externalities of a merit good, there will always be the appearance of a market failure (the market will be incapable of delivering an optimal result).
—
Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, her plot confines these characters to another narrow set of roles, and most of them are portrayed as incapable of leaving their cage.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Big Mistakes follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan (Ortega), two deeply incapable siblings who are in over their heads when a misguided theft for their dying grandmother accidentally pulls them into the world of organized crime.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
With political leadership so feckless, so dysfunctional, so incapable of planning, so willing to betray friends and allies for short-term advantage, so willing to lie and advocate criminal behavior, our military is simply not in responsible hands.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapable
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Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Unfortunately, her plot confines these characters to another narrow set of roles, and most of them are portrayed as incapable of leaving their cage.
—Literary Hub, 2 Apr. 2026
Big Mistakes follows Nicky (Levy) and Morgan (Ortega), two deeply incapable siblings who are in over their heads when a misguided theft for their dying grandmother accidentally pulls them into the world of organized crime.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026
With political leadership so feckless, so dysfunctional, so incapable of planning, so willing to betray friends and allies for short-term advantage, so willing to lie and advocate criminal behavior, our military is simply not in responsible hands.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 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 7 Apr. 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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