inability

[in-uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. lack of ability; lack of power, capacity, or means.

   his inability to make decisions.

   Synonyms: incompetence, impotence, incapacity, incapability

inability

/ ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of ability or means; incapacity

Word History and Origins

Origin of inability¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English inabilite, from Medieval Latin inhabilitās; equivalent to in- ³ + ability

Synonym Study

See disability.

Example Sentences

The seeming lack of progress — particularly the inability to develop clear policies and protocol — points to what some experts describe as a larger failure to learn from major fire disasters.

From Los Angeles Times

A fly ball two batters later — which worked for a sacrifice fly thanks to Hernández’s inability to cut the ball off — made it 3-0.

From Los Angeles Times

For all the criticism heaped on Penn State coach James Franklin regarding his perceived inability to win the big games, there is a flip side.

From Los Angeles Times

“From his inability to fire Chip Kelly to his unjustifiable, lazy hire of a recently departed running backs coach as head coach, Jarmond’s performance has been abysmal.”

From Los Angeles Times

"I can take my lead from the police, if they were to tell me there was an inability to respond and to police the protests, then there are powers that are available," she explained.

From BBC

Related Words

• failure 
• impotence 
• incompetence 
• inefficiency 
• ineptitude 
• lack 
• shortcoming 
• weakness