unable

adjective

un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
: not able : incapable: such as

Examples of unable in a Sentence

I was unable to afford the trip. He was unable to play tennis after the injury.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The in-person requirement was slated to go into effect on April 14, and applied to Social Security recipients unable to prove their identities online. Anne Marie Drummond Lee, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025 Applications for Real IDs will still be accepted after the deadline; those who haven't obtained their Real ID by May 7 will be unable to use it for travel or access to federal facilities until it is processed and issued. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 At Keiser University, 68% of students have previously attended a state university or college only to find that the institution was unable to support their unique needs. Arthur Keiser, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2025 Thousands of working people in New York City now live in shelters, unable to afford apartments despite holding down jobs that pay them $50,000 or more. Jonah Markowitz, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unable

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unable was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

unable

adjective
un·​able ˌən-ˈā-bəl How to pronounce unable (audio)
ˈən-
: not able : incapable

More from Merriam-Webster on unable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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