Synonyms for disability
Most common
incapacity infirmity incompetency unfitness handicap impairment deformity
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Incapacity — the state of having such a condition; the state of being disabled
incapacity, infirmity, unfitness, incompetency, inability, incompetence, incapability, disabledness
2. Impairment
impairment, handicap, disablement formal
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
The state of having such a condition; the state of being disabled.
- n. 2
A condition characterised by a significant limitation in a person's physical or intellectual powers or ability.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- disabilities → incapacities, infirmities, unfitnesses, incompetencies…
Choose the right word
Inability is an inherent want of power to perform the thing in question; disability arises from some deprivation or loss of the needed competency. One who becomes deranged is under a disability of holding his estate; and one who is made a judge, of deciding in his own case.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Example sentences
- incapacity Angst is the fear of our own incapacity for peace.
- infirmity Fadil's infirmity didn't slow him down.
- incompetency The minister was dismissed due to incompetency.
- handicap She seems to be laboring under the family handicap.
- impairment Yanni's visual impairment makes him more vulnerable.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| disability | steady | |
| incapacity | falling | |
| infirmity | steady | |
| incompetency | falling | |
| unfitness | falling | |
| handicap | falling |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 8 letters
- handicap3
- 9 letters
- inability5, impotence3, deformity4, infirmity4, unfitness
- 10 letters
- impairment3, incapacity5
- 11 letters
- disablement
- 12 letters
- incompetence4, incompetency5, incapability, disabledness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (handicap3 = 3 syllables).
In other languages
- Français
- invalidité