unable

adjective

ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
Definition of unablenext
as in unfit
lacking qualities (as knowledge, skill, or ability) required to do a job a celebrated author of serious plays, he turned out to be a particularly unable writer of comedies

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unable Some Longmont residents say their cellphones have become nearly unusable in recent weeks, leaving them unable to reliably make calls, contact their children's schools or reach family members. — Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Within city limits, there have been nearly 11,000 psychiatric 5150 holds in 2025 for people deemed either a danger to themselves or others, or unable to reliably secure food and shelter for themselves. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 Kyiv’s European partners have been scouring the world for Patriot missiles but have so far been unable to meet Ukraine’s modest request of 300 interceptors to get through the winter. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara earlier said the journalist's health was unknown because Japanese officials have been unable to contact him. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
  1. unfit
  2. unfitted
  3. incompetent
  4. incapable
Adjective
  • Separately, the Independent Football Regulator has the powers to force club owners to sell and can withhold a license to operate if they are deemed unfit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In the meantime, a judge repeatedly deemed James mentally unfit for criminal proceedings.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfit
Adjective
  • Here, Rodel shares how to make the unfitted kitchen trend your own, one statement-worthy piece at a time.
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
  • The venerable American clan at the center of the narrator’s reminiscences are wholly unfitted to the modern world and no longer endowed with the fortune that one of them brought home long ago on clipper ships.
    — Daniel Akst, WSJ, 2 Sep. 2022
Definition of unfitted
Adjective
  • Powell said Escobar showed up to Friday’s meeting on-duty, with his crew on a fire engine, and called some board members incompetent.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Court records obtained by CBS News Atlanta reveal that a judge declared 54-year-old Jonathan Hamby incompetent, putting him on a separate competency docket.
    — Dan Raby, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of incompetent
Adjective
  • As Starlink's speed limits were lowered, Ukraine became incapable of shooting down some Russian drones.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement As for now, the Vatican has not indicated that Leo is in any way incapable of performing or delegating his duties.
    — Tiago Ventura, Time, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of incapable

Browse Nearby Words

unabatedly
unable
unabridged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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