Synonyms
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
The Times was unable to reach the Millbrook Police Department immediately for comment.
—
Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
While the series’ predecessor captivated viewers some five decades ago, these modern-day Evans are stuck in the past, unable or unwilling to connect with new generations who are still navigating so much and have so much to say.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
When asked at the World Economic Forum in January what the core competency of humans was relative to AI, OpenAI boss Sam Altman was unable to come up with a convincing answer.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 12 Apr. 2024
White and non-White Americans live in increasingly separate worlds, unable to comprehend one another.
—John Blake, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Auditors were unable to assess the cost-effectiveness of several other programs because of the lack of data on the program outcomes.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Concerned relatives were unable to ascertain their welfare or whereabouts while Daybell and Vallow lived alone in Hawaii, reportedly on the life insurance money Daybell received after his wife’s death.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
McClatchy News was unable to reach the owner of Machista for comment.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024
Some are also unhappy that the dam embankment built in 2010 was unable to defend their city.
—Reuters, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
While the series’ predecessor captivated viewers some five decades ago, these modern-day Evans are stuck in the past, unable or unwilling to connect with new generations who are still navigating so much and have so much to say.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024
When asked at the World Economic Forum in January what the core competency of humans was relative to AI, OpenAI boss Sam Altman was unable to come up with a convincing answer.
—Byryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 12 Apr. 2024
White and non-White Americans live in increasingly separate worlds, unable to comprehend one another.
—John Blake, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024
Auditors were unable to assess the cost-effectiveness of several other programs because of the lack of data on the program outcomes.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2024
Concerned relatives were unable to ascertain their welfare or whereabouts while Daybell and Vallow lived alone in Hawaii, reportedly on the life insurance money Daybell received after his wife’s death.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2024
McClatchy News was unable to reach the owner of Machista for comment.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 10 Apr. 2024
Some are also unhappy that the dam embankment built in 2010 was unable to defend their city.
—Reuters, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near unable
Cite this Entry
“Unable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unable. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unable
adjective
un·able
ˌən-ˈā-bəl 
ˈən-
: not able : incapable
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