incapable
not capable.
not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function: As an administrator, he is simply incapable.
without ordinary capability; incompetent.
a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.
Idioms about incapable
incapable of,
not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
not open to; not susceptible to or admitting: These materials are incapable of exact measurement.
legally unqualified for.
Origin of incapable
1synonym study For incapable
Other words for incapable
Opposites for incapable
Other words from incapable
- in·ca·pa·bil·i·ty, in·ca·pa·ble·ness, noun
- in·ca·pa·bly, adverb
Words Nearby incapable
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use incapable in a sentence
He has been so attached to us — following My Lovely Wife and me from room to room, whimpering when we leave the house — that we figured he worshiped us and was incapable of anything approaching aggression.
My dog barked at me. What’s going on in that canine skull of his? | John Kelly | January 31, 2021 | Washington PostWe would have to prioritize cow welfare in a way that I seriously think we’re incapable of right now.
Artisanal American Cheese Was Finally on Top of the World, and Then the World Fell Apart | Jaya Saxena | October 5, 2020 | EaterMany in the business world have talked at length about the private sector having the ability to step up to tackle the problems government has proved incapable of addressing.
Tory Burch joins Old Navy in paying employees to work Election Day polls | kristenlbellstrom | September 3, 2020 | FortuneThe phones’ batteries were incapable of keeping up with the demands of the company’s frequent software updates.
Own Apple Powerbeats 2 earphones? Here’s how to claim your share of a $9.75 million settlement | rhhackettfortune | August 28, 2020 | FortuneIn essence, the patchwork of the cities, while maintaining a semblance of Crusader city-states, was incapable of logistically supporting an army – in some cases, even to defend against localized threats.
History of the Crusades: Origins, Politics, and Crusaders | Dattatreya Mandal | March 23, 2020 | Realm of History
She is incapable of responding to kindness and enquiry, even very gentle flirting on the part of a co-worker.
Unlike influenza, it is incapable of traveling through tiny microscopic particles.
A “simple bout of flu” is incapable of mutating into an Ebola infection.
Nancy, on the other hand, was incapable of communicating her wishes.
U.K. Courts Grant Mother Right to End Her 12-Year-Old Disabled Daughter’s Life | Elizabeth Picciuto | November 4, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUsed without a German army on the ground, as it had been in mainland Europe, the Luftwaffe was incapable of securing victory.
Blood and War: The Hard Truth About ‘Boots on the Ground’ | Clive Irving | September 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen we are again overgrown boys, beings of inferior race and incapable of being civilized.
The Philippine Islands | John ForemanIn the retreat across the Niemen he proved himself absolutely incapable of reorganising a beaten force.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonShe was as incapable of jealousy as of aching vanity in the fact of a son whom the world was never permitted to forget.
Ancestors | Gertrude AthertonA meeting may be legally held though one of its members is incapable, physically or mentally, from receiving notice.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesHis previous career had not been without distinction, and that he was an incapable commander had never before been hinted.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries | Charles G. Harper
British Dictionary definitions for incapable
/ (ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl) /
(when postpositive, often foll by of) not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)
powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication
(postpositive foll by of) not susceptible (to); not admitting (of): a problem incapable of solution
Derived forms of incapable
- incapability or incapableness, noun
- incapably, adverb
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
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