Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

incapable

[ in-key-puh-buhl ]

adjective

  1. not capable.

    Antonyms:

  2. not having the necessary ability, qualification, or strength to perform some specified act or function:

    As an administrator, he is simply incapable.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. without ordinary capability; incompetent.


noun

  1. a thoroughly incompetent person, especially one of defective mentality.

incapable

/ ɪˈɪəə /

adjective

  1. whenpostpositive, often foll by of not capable (of); lacking the ability (to)
  2. powerless or helpless, as through injury or intoxication
  3. postpositivefoll byof not susceptible (to); not admitting (of)

    a problem incapable of solution

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈ貹, adverb
  • ˌ貹ˈٲ, noun
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • ·p·i·ٲ ·p··Ա noun
  • ·p· adverb
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of incapable1

From the Late Latin word Գ, dating back to 1585–95. See in- 3, capable
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. incapable of,
    1. not having the ability, qualification, or strength for (a specified act or function).
    2. not open to; not susceptible to or admitting:

      These materials are incapable of exact measurement.

    3. legally unqualified for.
Discover More

Synonym Study

Incapable, incompetent, inefficient, unable are applied to a person or thing that is lacking in ability, preparation, or power for whatever is to be done. Incapable usually means inherently lacking in ability or power: incapable of appreciating music; a bridge incapable of carrying heavy loads. Incompetent, generally used only of persons, means unfit or unqualified for a particular task: incompetent as an administrator. Inefficient means wasteful in the use of effort or power: an inefficient manager; inefficient methods. Unable usually refers to a temporary condition of inability to do some specific thing: unable to relax, to go to a concert.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Unlike so many other highlight stretches since his arrival in Los Angeles, the $700-million slugger looked incapable of turning the tide.

From

In turn, Russia accuses the Ukrainian president of being "incapable" of implementing any such agreements.

From

Elephants can speak to each other using infrasonic rumbles — sounds that humans are incapable of hearing — that travel long distances and warn other nearby elephants of potential danger.

From

All these people follow Trump, a man who is incapable of empathy, so much so that many high-profile psychologists have argued that he should be considered a sociopath, despite not consenting to a formal diagnosis.

From

The alleged attack showed Zelensky was "incapable of sticking to agreements", Russia's defence ministry said.

From

Advertisement

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


incantatoryincapacitant