as in inability
the lack of sufficient ability, power, or means
her entrenched incapacity for decision-making doesn't make her a very good boss
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Recent Examples of incapacity
Only adult citizens would count, including those who, in some states, are not eligible to vote because of a felony conviction or their mental incapacity.
—
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
But she eventually was removed on moral incapacity grounds, with lawmakers citing the high crime rate and corruption scandals.
—Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Days later, Westcott attempted to rescind the deal, citing his mental incapacity.
—Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Yet in the end, the BRICS’ joint statement, published several days after the bombing, was remarkably vague, failing even to mention Israel or the United States, revealing the grouping’s incapacity to speak with one voice.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 9 Mar. 2026
But she eventually was removed on moral incapacity grounds, with lawmakers citing the high crime rate and corruption scandals.
—Franklin Briceño, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
Days later, Westcott attempted to rescind the deal, citing his mental incapacity.
—Charmaine Patterson, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025
Yet in the end, the BRICS’ joint statement, published several days after the bombing, was remarkably vague, failing even to mention Israel or the United States, revealing the grouping’s incapacity to speak with one voice.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacity
inability
Noun
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Even when Florida’s lead was insurmountable, Golden was conscious of when to play Rioux because of his inability to keep up with the pace of the game and maintain endurance.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
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The questions go to the heart of the frustration expressed by business leaders such as Sim Tshabalala, Standard Bank’s boss, who warned just this month at Semafor World Economy that South Africa’s anemic economic growth was down to the state’s basic inability to uphold the rule of law.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incapacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacity. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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