inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌi-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: lack of sufficient power, resources, or capacity

my inability to do math

Synonyms of inability

• incapability
• insufficiency
• incompetence
• incompetency

Examples of inability in a Sentence

She has shown an inability to concentrate.

the inability of the government to cope with the problem

Recent Examples on the Web

Spivey described several medical issues, including a blood clot in one arm, pneumonia, the inability to swallow and no function in her arms. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

The officer pressed him on his inability to identify the fraternity members who were there. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

SpaceX’s reported $40 billion debt raise to buy Nvidia chips shows it is stuck between mature tech giants like Google and Meta and startups like OpenAI and Anthropic, whose private status tends to forgive their inability to pay their own bills. — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

But play-in seems the ceiling in light of Davis’ inability to stay healthy, Young’s regression in recent years and this team’s unwillingness to play much defense last season. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inhabilite disqualification, from Medieval Latin inhabilitas, from Latin in- + habilitas ability

First Known Use

1500, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

inability

noun

in·​abil·​i·​ty ˌin-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

: lack of ability, power, or means

his inability to carry a tune