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View synonyms for incapable

incapable

[ in-key-puh-buhl ]

adjective

  1. not capable.

    Antonyms: able

  2. not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function:

    As an administrator, he is simply incapable.

    Synonyms: unqualified, impotent

  3. without ordinary capability; incompetent.


noun

  1. a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.

incapable

/ ɪnˈkeɪpəbəl /

adjective

  1. whenpostpositive, often foll by of not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)
  2. powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication
  3. postpositivefoll byof not susceptible (to); not admitting (of)

    a problem incapable of solution

“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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Derived Forms

  • inˈcapably, adverb
  • inˌcapaˈbility, noun
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Other Words From

  • in·capa·bili·ty in·capa·ble·ness noun
  • in·capa·bly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of incapable1

From the Late Latin word incapābilis, dating back to 1585–95. See in- 3, capable
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. incapable of,
    1. not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
    2. not open to; not susceptible to or admitting:

      These materials are incapable of exact measurement.

    3. legally unqualified for.
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Synonym Study

Incapable, incompetent, inefficient, unable are applied to a person or thing that is lacking in ability, preparation, or power for whatever is to be done. Incapable usually means inherently lacking in ability or power: incapable of appreciating music; a bridge incapable of carrying heavy loads. Incompetent, generally used only of persons, means unfit or unqualified for a particular task: incompetent as an administrator. Inefficient means wasteful in the use of effort or power: an inefficient manager; inefficient methods. Unable usually refers to a temporary condition of inability to do some specific thing: unable to relax, to go to a concert.
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Example Sentences

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.

We would have to prioritize cow welfare in a way that I seriously think we’re incapable of right now.

From Eater

Many 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.

From Fortune

The phones’ batteries were incapable of keeping up with the demands of the company’s frequent software updates.

From Fortune

In 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.

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.

Used without a German army on the ground, as it had been in mainland Europe, the Luftwaffe was incapable of securing victory.

Then we are again overgrown boys, beings of inferior race and incapable of being civilized.

In the retreat across the Niemen he proved himself absolutely incapable of reorganising a beaten force.

She was as incapable of jealousy as of aching vanity in the fact of a son whom the world was never permitted to forget.

A meeting may be legally held though one of its members is incapable, physically or mentally, from receiving notice.

His previous career had not been without distinction, and that he was an incapable commander had never before been hinted.

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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incantatoryincapacitant