Synonyms

inability

American

[in-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌɪn əˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

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

his inability to make decisions.

Synonyms:

incompetence, impotence, incapacity, incapability

inability British

/ ˌɪnəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

lack of ability or means; incapacity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See disability.

Etymology

Origin of inability

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Lilleaas shares her character’s sympathy for the inability of different generations to connect.

From Los Angeles Times

It all started with an inability to finish at the rim.

From Los Angeles Times

That and their inability to stay in the fight.

From BBC

The short June war with Israel also exposed the government’s weakness and its inability to protect itself from infiltration by Israeli spies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some users reported difficulties with or an inability to checkout, according to Downdetector.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023