How to Use inability in a Sentence

inability

noun
Definition of inabilitynext
Synonyms for inabilitynext
  • She has shown an inability to concentrate.
  • The Bulls fell into a 20-point hole in the first half due to their inability to match the Grizzlies in the paint.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024
  • The inability to catch one's breath can be a scary thing.
    — Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2023
  • One of the worst parts of being homeless is the inability to keep clean.
    — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 14 May 2023
  • Just one more free throw than turnovers An inability to get to the free throw line struck again.
    — Jaden Lewis, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2024
  • But the Patriots’ inability to punch the ball across the goal line came back to haunt them in the second half.
    — Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Jan. 2023
  • The inability to see the object whole and entire drives the love story.
    — Merve Emre, The New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2023
  • And the inability to close out leads has robbed the Rangers of the chance to regain late-season momentum.
    — Evan Grant, Dallas News, 5 Sep. 2023
  • The offense’s inability to stay on the field fatigued the defense.
    — Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2023
  • The Giants lost three close games to the Bills, Jets and Rams that slipped out of their hands in large part due to the head coach’s inability to press the right buttons in big spots.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 8 Aug. 2024
  • Among the reasons: the city’s inability to control mass tourism.
    — Stefano Pitrelli, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2024
  • Many are supposed to be removed once the risk of clots, or inability to be on blood thinners, has passed.
    — Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 2 Feb. 2023
  • The 21-year-old’s inability to throw strikes was alarming.
    — Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 28 July 2023
  • The shortage of bullpen resources has been magnified by the inability of the starters to pitch deep into games.
    — Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2024
  • During the summer, older adults and young children can get sick and die from the inability to keep cool.
    — Joie D. Acosta, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2024
  • Both say the inability to work and the sense of isolation has been difficult.
    — Megan Specia, New York Times, 18 Nov. 2023
  • Sometimes, the cop even pokes fun at the suspect’s inability to sprint, calling them out for being out of shape.
    — Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
  • As the show was announced, both Oliver, 46, and Meyers, 49, joked about their inability to attend the live show.
    — Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023
  • But the issues at the back and inability to keep the ball continued for Portland as a brutal turnover in the 69th minute led to yet another goal for the Pride.
    — oregonlive, 12 June 2023
  • The players’ desire to reach their level—and inability to do so—drive the film’s most searing sequences.
    — Sean Gregory, Time, 12 Jan. 2023
  • Injuries played a large role in that, but so did Kingsbury’s inability to pull the Cardinals out of a tailspin.
    — Kent Somers, The Arizona Republic, 9 Jan. 2023
  • In the past, it’s been their inability that has made playoff life difficult.
    — Brian Sampson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023
  • Her attempts to ban cars from the city center and her inability to clean up Paris have given her an approval rating of 19%.
    — Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2024
  • Yeah, my inability to express my emotions and talk about my feelings like that.
    — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2024
  • That was really my inability to just be with him, to be content and enjoy him.
    — Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2023
  • The victory stopped the bleeding after four straight losses, but the inability to put a lesser team away lingers.
    — Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Oct. 2023
  • Like Grinch, Bullock said he is still frustrated by the team’s inability to finish the critical game down the stretch.
    — Staff Writer follow, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2022
  • The response is inadequate due to a lack of partners in the field and the inability to replenish supplies.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2024
  • Part of the Lakers’ failure to build on that 2020 championship has been Davis’ inability to remain healthy.
    — Dallas News, 26 Feb. 2023
  • In Katie’s mind, their accident—Steve’s inability to keep the boat off that rock—had ruined everyone’s trip.
    — Outside Online, 30 Oct. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: