incapable
[in-key-puh-buhl]
- 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.
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- a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.
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- 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.
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Origin of incapable
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com1. 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. 2. impotent, unqualified.
Antonyms
1. able.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
unfitineffectiveinadequatenaiveweakimpotentincompetentunableunqualifiedunsuitedineligiblepowerlessbutterfingersfeebleineptinexperiencedinexpertinsufficientlosingpoorExamples from the Web for incapable
Contemporary Examples
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 LifeElizabeth Picciuto
November 4, 2014
Used without a German army on the ground, as it had been in mainland Europe, the Luftwaffe was incapable of securing victory.
Historical Examples
Without true grace mankind was weak, and incapable of success.
The DreamEmile Zola
Keep the capable man down and you may level the incapable one up.
The Call of the Twentieth CenturyDavid Starr Jordan
He was incapable of speaking, and the driver, busy with his horses, said no more.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
Hinde gaped at him, incapable of expressing himself with sufficient force.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
Rima, incapable of understanding such a thing, took it differently.
Green MansionsW. H. Hudson
incapable
- (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
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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
Word Origin and History for incapable
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper