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Showing results for inability. Search instead for inability/noun.
Definitions

inability

[in-uh-bil-i-tee] / ˌɪn əˈbɪl ɪ ti /
NOUN
lack of ability
Synonyms
STRONGEST
failure impotence incompetence inefficiency ineptitude lack shortcoming weakness
STRONG
disqualification frailty inadequacy inaptitude incapability incapacity ineffectiveness ineffectualness inefficacy ineptness insufficiency inutility necessity powerlessness unfitness
WEAK
incapacitation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
strong point success
STRONG
ability sufficiency
WEAK
capacity competence skill talent

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.

Five years later, his inability to improve his French was a final straw for many.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

And while healthy advertising spending boosted its most recent earnings, there are concerns about its apparent inability to launch a cutting-edge AI to take on ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

OTTAWA—Air Canada Chief Executive Michael Rousseau issued an apology Thursday about his inability to speak French after facing sharp criticism from Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

The widening spread between WTI and Brent may be temporary, reflecting stress in financial markets and inability of financial intermediaries and commodities trading firms to arbitrage it away.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

My inability to throw a football was exceeded only by my inability to master the guitar.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.