incapable

adjective

in·​ca·​pa·​ble (ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl How to pronounce incapable (audio)
1
: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: such as
a
: not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
c
archaic : not able to take in, hold, or keep
d
archaic : not receptive
2
: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified
incapableness noun
incapably adverb

Examples of incapable in a Sentence

hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
Recent Examples on the Web For those who more naturally sympathize with the Israeli mother than the Gazan hiding from the bombs, these responses exist across that chasm Chen describes, one that empathy alone is incapable of bridging. Phil Klay, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Bob and Lily’s connection might be idealized, but Laymon still takes care to ground them in moments that feel authentic, performed by actors who seem incapable of striking a false note. Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2024 Famous fossil is really just paint, rocks and a couple of bones, researchers say The spider is venomous, but its fangs are incapable of breaking human skin. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 25 Feb. 2024 The last president to run for reelection who was so obviously incapable of serving another four years was FDR in 1944. The Editors, National Review, 12 Feb. 2024 People with a background in tax administration would suggest a bad tax is a tax that’s incapable of being evenly enforced, has a poor revenue yield, or is too easily avoided. Robert Goulder, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Children under 13 can qualify, as can a spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. The Arizona Republic, 30 Jan. 2024 In a federal government seemingly incapable of sticking to the necessary and proper, 2024 interest payments on debt topping $34 trillion are set to surpass defense spending as well as Medicare outlays. Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Yet, defendants are incapable of admitting the error of their ways. Michael R. Sisak, arkansasonline.com, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incapable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, from in- + capable capable

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of incapable was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near incapable

Cite this Entry

“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

incapable

adjective
in·​ca·​pa·​ble (ˈ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl How to pronounce incapable (audio)
: not able to do something
incapable of cleaning her room thoroughly

Legal Definition

incapable

adjective
in·​ca·​pa·​ble
: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) see also incapacity

More from Merriam-Webster on incapable

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