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
The report argues that one of the central failures of Amazon security policy has been the inability of governments to maintain a permanent presence in remote regions where criminal groups operate freely.
—
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
In 2023, senators assailed Ticketmaster, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, for its lack of transparency and inability to block bots from purchasing tickets on behalf of scalpers.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Aware of their inability to win with the current maps, the GOP has been redrawing the country in its image, and potentially marginalizing minority voters in the process.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
In 1944, Warren had published this story—that is, the story of Mastern’s life and Burden’s inability to write about it—as a short story in Partisan Review.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 13 May 2026
In 2023, senators assailed Ticketmaster, which is owned by Live Nation Entertainment, for its lack of transparency and inability to block bots from purchasing tickets on behalf of scalpers.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Aware of their inability to win with the current maps, the GOP has been redrawing the country in its image, and potentially marginalizing minority voters in the process.
—S.e. Cupp, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
In 1944, Warren had published this story—that is, the story of Mastern’s life and Burden’s inability to write about it—as a short story in Partisan Review.
—Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for inability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inability
Noun
-
Trump’s command of Congress owes to the incapability of many politicians to see beyond the next election.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Often times there are provisions in a divorce agreement about insufficiency of life insurance including a claim against his estate.—
Wendy Hickey,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
But there’s another common culprit that most women don’t think about—vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Workers resisted him with false reports of incompetence, machine sabotage, and especially social pressure—something that worked on new recruits but not on Taylor himself.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
During Walker’s oral exams, Stoner exposes his incompetence.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Federal agents have descended upon the home of Cindy Rodriguez Singh, the North Texas mom who was recently sent to a state hospital after an incompetency ruling in the murder of her young son.—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
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The longer the delay, the more the system risks turning temporary incompetency into long-term confinement.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inability. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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