Synonyms for unable
- adjective
Most common
All synonyms
Adjective
Definitions
- adj. 1
Not able; lacking a certain ability.
Are you unable to mind your own business or something?
Example sentences
- incapable Young children are incapable of abstract thinking.
- ineffective Washing your hands without soap is ineffective work.
- incompetent Incompetent people are the ones who talk the most.
- impotent "Your army is impotent against mine!!" he laughed.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| unable | steady | |
| incapable | steady | |
| ineffective | steady | |
| incompetent | falling | |
| impotent | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 8 letters
- helpless2, impotent3
- 9 letters
- incapable4, powerless3
- 11 letters
- ineffective4, incompetent4, ineffectual5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (helpless2 = 2 syllables).