unable

adjective

un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
: not able : incapable: such as

Examples of unable in a Sentence

I was unable to afford the trip. He was unable to play tennis after the injury.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 Americans were frustrated by inflation and the cost of living, unable to reconcile their financial struggles with the Biden administration’s assurances that the economy was strong. Clifford Young, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025 Other artists — like Kanye West, Grimes, and Randy Travis, the latter unable to speak or sing following a stroke — have embraced the technology. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2025 Coincidentally, New York only managed to score 102 points and was unable to match the Warrior firepower from downtown. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unable

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unable was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

unable

adjective
un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
ˈən-
: not able : incapable

More from Merriam-Webster on unable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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