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Definitions

inability

[in-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌɪn əˈbɪl ɪ ti /
NOUN
lack of ability
Synonyms
STRONGEST
failure impotence incompetence inefficiency ineptitude lack shortcoming weakness
STRONG
disqualification frailty inadequacy inaptitude incapability incapacity ineffectiveness ineffectualness inefficacy ineptness insufficiency inutility necessity powerlessness unfitness
WEAK
incapacitation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
strong point success
STRONG
ability sufficiency
WEAK
capacity competence skill talent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Obviously, his inability to retain 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara was frustrating and ultimately devastating.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

He’s long resented her inability to contain the frenzy surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein files.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

The investigators cited the inability of Ford’s system to detect and respond to a stationary vehicle in the Texas crash.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

And while healthy advertising spending boosted its most recent earnings, there are concerns about its apparent inability to launch a cutting-edge AI to take on ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

It was an expression of raw pain that came from an inability of my body to express that pain in any other way, shape, or form.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.