as in incapability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
the apparent inability of young children to sit still
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of inability
An inability to say ‘no’ One of the foundational principles of most work management systems is the minimization of ‘Work in Progress’.
—
Mark Settle, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Compounding this crisis in mental health is our inability to treat depression and anxiety effectively in most people.
—Kara Margolis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Scott, however, always loomed as the top option, becoming a high-priority target within the organization after the team’s inability to land Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams in a trade.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
In 1949, a grand jury convened to discuss the inability of LAPD’s homicide unit to solve murders, during which Short’s death was further investigated.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inability 
Mark Settle, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Compounding this crisis in mental health is our inability to treat depression and anxiety effectively in most people.
—Kara Margolis, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Scott, however, always loomed as the top option, becoming a high-priority target within the organization after the team’s inability to land Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams in a trade.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025
In 1949, a grand jury convened to discuss the inability of LAPD’s homicide unit to solve murders, during which Short’s death was further investigated.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
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Conditions like varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency further hinder blood flow.—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
30 Jan. 2025
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However, with venous insufficiency, vein walls and valves are damaged.—
Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN,
Verywell Health,
19 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Jimmy Garoppolo profited from exposure to 49ers’ system The Commanders, thankfully shorn of the oppressive incompetence of former owner Daniel Snyder, were remade in a year by G.M. Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn.—
Jerry McDonald,
The Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2025
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There are potential mitigating factors: infighting or incompetence within Christian nationalist and MAGA circles, the role of the courts, resistance within government agencies and at the local and state levels.—
John Blake,
CNN,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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When pressed on such timelines during a Senate hearing in December 2024, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf reiterated the issue isn’t a matter of corruption or incompetency, but federal support.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
15 Jan. 2025
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It's been a revolving door of incompetency under center for the Browns this year.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near inability
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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