incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˌ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl 
1
: lacking capacity, ability, or qualification for the purpose or end in view: such as
a
: not able or fit for the doing or performance : incompetent
b
: not being in a state or of a kind to admit : insusceptible
c
archaic
: not able to take in, hold, or keep
d
archaic
: not receptive
2
: lacking legal qualification or power (as by reason of mental incompetence) : disqualified
Examples of incapable in a Sentence
hired a supremely incapable assistant who only made a mess of things
Recent Examples on the Web
The senior leaders in the Illinois Democratic Party are incapable of operating any other way.
—
Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
If such monitoring and action is not a possibility for any reason, it must be understood that the current system is incapable of protecting the public and the juveniles who have been charged with a violent crime must be retained and not released.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2025
Remember, Lisa is literally incapable of answering her phone, showing up on time, or paying attention to any detail that has nothing to do with the details of the straps on her Birkins.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Still, Syria’s fall might seem unimportant given that Damascus’s large air defense system proved incapable of stopping roughly 14 years of continual Israeli airstrikes, managing to shoot down only one Israeli F-16 in 2018.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapable
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Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025
If such monitoring and action is not a possibility for any reason, it must be understood that the current system is incapable of protecting the public and the juveniles who have been charged with a violent crime must be retained and not released.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 July 2025
Remember, Lisa is literally incapable of answering her phone, showing up on time, or paying attention to any detail that has nothing to do with the details of the straps on her Birkins.
—Tom Smyth, Vulture, 3 July 2025
Still, Syria’s fall might seem unimportant given that Damascus’s large air defense system proved incapable of stopping roughly 14 years of continual Israeli airstrikes, managing to shoot down only one Israeli F-16 in 2018.
—Sebastien Roblin, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapable
Cite this Entry
“Incapable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapable. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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incapable
adjective
in·ca·pa·ble
(ˈ)in-ˈkā-pə-bəl
: not able to do something
incapable of cleaning her room thoroughly
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