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
In the final debate, Cuomo and Sliwa both attacked Mamdani for his stances on Israel and sought to portray him as incapable of addressing rising antisemitism to protect Jews, who account for about a tenth of New York City.
—
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Not that either of them is incapable of that or unwilling to do it.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Movies like Eddington and The Mastermind also render their white male protagonists as ill-prepared and ineffectual numbskulls incapable of confronting their era’s racial and social politics.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Domestic treble winners, WSL champions six years running, yet ineffably incapable of finding triumph in Europe.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapable
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Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Not that either of them is incapable of that or unwilling to do it.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Movies like Eddington and The Mastermind also render their white male protagonists as ill-prepared and ineffectual numbskulls incapable of confronting their era’s racial and social politics.
—Robert Daniels, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
Domestic treble winners, WSL champions six years running, yet ineffably incapable of finding triumph in Europe.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 7 Oct. 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 31 Oct. 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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