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Definitions

unable

[uhn-ey-buhl] / ʌnˈeɪ bəl /
ADJECTIVE
not having talent, skill
Synonyms
STRONGEST
helpless impotent inadequate incapable not able powerless sidelined unfit weak
WEAK
can't cut it can't hack it can't make the grade clumsy hog-tied impuissant incapacitated incompetent ineffectual inefficacious inefficient inept inoperative no can do no good not cut out for not equal to not up to out of commission unfitted unqualified unskilled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
able capable competent fit potent qualified strong sufficient
WEAK
adequate skillful talented

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.

“Europe is entering a decisive decade, and it is unable to act,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

After having surgery to remove parts of her womb, she noticed her conditions would flare up more frequently, sometimes leaving her unable to get out of bed.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

At one point on Saturday, the toilet was unable to dump its waste overboard, possibly due to a frozen vent line, Nasa said.

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

They note that the main culprit was a “catastrophically bad control-room design” where workers “were unable to understand what was going wrong.”

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

I stopped, unable to believe what I was seeing.

From "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstilskin" by Liesl Shurtliff

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