unable

[uhn-ey-buhl]

adjective

1. lacking the necessary power, competence, etc., to accomplish some specified act.

   He was unable to swim.

unable

/ ʌnˈeɪbəl /

adjective

1. lacking the necessary power, ability, or authority (to do something); not able

2. archaic,  incompetent

Word History and Origins

Origin of unable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; un- ¹ + able

Synonym Study

See incapable.

Example Sentences

"We're physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us," writes the princess, in an essay that's part of her early years education campaign.

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During her first trip to a supermarket, she was unable to tear herself away from the bread aisle - and the sights and smells of so much plenty.

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Mr Donald said he subsequently made numerous unsuccessful efforts to retrieve the money from Gavin and had been unable to get a response from his former landlord on many occasions.

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Without being formally being sworn in, she has no budget, is unable to hire staff, cannot open her district office or even access her Capitol office.

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Like his predecessors, Lecornu was unable to push through a budget to bring down the government's deficit and tackle public debt.

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Related Words

• helpless 
• impotent 
• inadequate 
• incapable 
• not able 
• powerless 
• sidelined www.thesaurus.com
• unfit 
• weak