inability

[ in-uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

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

   his inability to make decisions.

   Synonyms: incapability, incompetence, impotence, incapacity

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

Their inability to win these games, however, pointed to another, potentially more disconcerting, problem: their lack of playmakers.

From Los Angeles Times

Apimondia - the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations - said in a statement that the change was "necessitated by the inability to have honey fully tested for adulteration".

From BBC

Roger writes of his inability to ignore the terrible treatment of the locals, who were exploited by the Europeans.

From BBC

The organisation has faced significant challenges, including an inability to convene its leadership since the killing of Yahya Sinwar by Israel.

From BBC

A lawsuit filed this week in New York federal court alleges that shareholders suffered “significant losses and damages” over the company’s inability to hold onto its NBA contract, which prompted Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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