UNABLE Synonyms: 56 Similar and Opposite Words

unable

adjective

ˌən-ˈā-bəl

Definition of unable

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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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 Gulf leaders worry the president is unable to manage the diplomacy necessary to secure peace with Iran, according to Arab and Western officials. — Susannah George, Washington Post, 15 Aug. 2026 Williams was unable to convert on her lone break opportunity and was only 41% on first-serve points. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 Armstrong opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list, but has since been activated to resume practicing. — Maura Carey, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The wild card could be Isaac Guerendo, who remains on the physically unable to perform list with a pectoral injury suffered in the spring. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unable

Adjective

His reelection campaign has been rocked by the allegations made by his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, and her senator dad, who says Miller is unfit to serve in Congress.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
Indeed, the representatives of that Government assert that the people of Hawaii are unfit for popular government and frankly avow that they can be best ruled by arbitrary or despotic power.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of unfit

Adjective

The idea that government, which has been defined as incompetent and inefficient for decades, could provide grocery abundance and variety better than Walmart and Costco has triggered a visceral reaction among critics.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
His costly miscalculation exploded into a life-and-death war fiasco that an incompetent and dishonest administration is now incapable of ending.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of incompetent

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unabatedly

unable

unabridged

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“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unable. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unable

adjective

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