inability
noun
in·abil·i·ty
ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity
his inability to do math
Synonyms
Examples of inability in a Sentence
She has shown an inability to concentrate.
the inability of the government to cope with the problem
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the persons who would take part in such an event has demonstrated an inability to debate, either refusing to adhere to debate rules or perhaps being unable to comprehend what a debate is (respectfully presenting one’s views and respectfully listening to the views of the other person).
—
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Type 2 Diabetes Diet Diabetes Mellitus A group of conditions marked by an inability of insulin to control glucose.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Israel to protest the inability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure the release of the remaining hostages, the BBC reported.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 7 Apr. 2024
An inability to shoot 3-pointers cost them in the Final Four last year, but that’s no longer a weakness with South Carolina making them at a 39% clip in 2023-24.
—Will Ujek, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024
That’s because there’s really no one-size-fits-all approach: Some workouts can improve symptoms and help mitigate certain triggers, like an inability to sleep well.
—Erica Sweeney, SELF, 3 Apr. 2024
Another way to look at it is as a long history of Google’s inability to make its products make sense.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
In court filings, Rosen cited the irreversible nature of the death penalty, and thus the inability to guarantee due process, as grounds for the petition.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
Before the war, the group partnered with grocery stores and bakeries, but those businesses have mostly shuttered, Taravella said, hit by power outages and an inability to get supplies.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024
Type 2 Diabetes Diet Diabetes Mellitus A group of conditions marked by an inability of insulin to control glucose.
—Elizabeth Woolley, Verywell Health, 15 Apr. 2024
On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Israel to protest the inability of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to secure the release of the remaining hostages, the BBC reported.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 7 Apr. 2024
An inability to shoot 3-pointers cost them in the Final Four last year, but that’s no longer a weakness with South Carolina making them at a 39% clip in 2023-24.
—Will Ujek, NBC News, 6 Apr. 2024
That’s because there’s really no one-size-fits-all approach: Some workouts can improve symptoms and help mitigate certain triggers, like an inability to sleep well.
—Erica Sweeney, SELF, 3 Apr. 2024
Another way to look at it is as a long history of Google’s inability to make its products make sense.
—David Pierce, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
In court filings, Rosen cited the irreversible nature of the death penalty, and thus the inability to guarantee due process, as grounds for the petition.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024
Before the war, the group partnered with grocery stores and bakeries, but those businesses have mostly shuttered, Taravella said, hit by power outages and an inability to get supplies.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inability
Cite this Entry
“Inability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inability. Accessed 20 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
inability
noun
in·abil·i·ty
ˌin-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
: lack of ability, power, or means
his inability to carry a tune
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