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
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Recent Examples of unable
Down 65-63 with a chance to tie it, or better yet, end the game, the Cougars were unable to get a shot off.
—
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The office processed more than 3,000 complaints in fiscal year 2023 — on everything from disabled detainees being unable to access medical care to abuses of power at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and reports of rape at its detention centers.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 8 Apr. 2025
That would leave the chamber stuck and unable to unlock the fast-track reconciliation process to bypass a filibuster.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Several key figures - see Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker - are now into the twilights of their respective careers and so Guardiola’s team have been unable to play its usual style of high-energy, high-intensity soccer.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Apr. 2025
The office processed more than 3,000 complaints in fiscal year 2023 — on everything from disabled detainees being unable to access medical care to abuses of power at Immigration and Customs Enforcement and reports of rape at its detention centers.
—J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 8 Apr. 2025
That would leave the chamber stuck and unable to unlock the fast-track reconciliation process to bypass a filibuster.
—Peter Sullivan, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025
Several key figures - see Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Kyle Walker - are now into the twilights of their respective careers and so Guardiola’s team have been unable to play its usual style of high-energy, high-intensity soccer.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable
Adjective
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Just like an organization being certain that other players are unfit for the harsh glare of intense games in April.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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The injunction request stated the premises were unfit for occupancy and owners did not have a valid city business license.—
Samantha Moilanen,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The police department’s insufficient and incompetent investigation cannot stand.—
Jeff A. Chamer,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2025
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After almost a year of being declared incompetent, her trial began in April 2023.—
Miguel Torres,
USA Today,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This definition also includes instance in which the victim is incapable of giving consent because of temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity (include due to the influence of drugs or alcohol) or because of age.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
7 Apr. 2025
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Rats, for example, are incapable of vomiting, which is why rat poison works so well.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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