inability
Lack of capacity
Inability is the state of being unable to do something—a lack of capacity, means, or power: His inability to focus cost him the job.
Unlike disability, which suggests a specific impairment, inability simply marks the absence of an ability, whether temporary or permanent: the government's inability to respond, my inability to say no.
State of being insufficient
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- incapacityLack of ability
- incompetenceLack of required skill
- ineptitudeLack of ability
shortcoming · weakness · ineffectiveness · unfitness · incapability · inefficacy · powerlessness · deficit
Impairment affecting life activities
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- incapacityLack of ability
- debilityImpaired strength or vitality
ailment · disorder · affliction · infirmity · paralysis · impediment · hindrance · constraint
Lacking ability to cope
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
- powerlessnessInability to affect outcomes
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
- discouragementLoss of confidence
disappointment · dismay · despair · hopelessness · discontent · resentment · distress · defeat
Labored effort against resistance
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
difficulty · hurdle · setback · trial · burden · impediment · limitation · constraint
Lack of prior exposure
- unfamiliarityLack of prior knowledge
- unawarenessState of not knowing
- incomprehensionLack of understanding
- cluelessnessLack of awareness or understanding
naiveté · unreadiness · illiteracy · blindness · obliviousness · greenness · rawness · novice
inadequacy
State of being insufficient
- insufficiencyShortfall in amount needed
- incapacityLack of ability
- incompetenceLack of required skill
ineptitude · shortcoming · weakness · ineffectiveness · unfitness · incapability · inefficacy · powerlessness · deficit · shortage
disability
Impairment affecting life activities
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- incapacityLack of ability
debility · ailment · disorder · affliction · infirmity · paralysis · impediment · hindrance · constraint · restriction
helplessness
Lacking ability to cope
- exasperationIntense weary annoyance
- powerlessnessInability to affect outcomes
- irritationMild anger or inflammation
discouragement · disappointment · dismay · despair · hopelessness · discontent · resentment · distress · defeat · resignation
struggle
Labored effort against resistance
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
- hardshipSuffering from difficult circumstances
barrier · difficulty · hurdle · setback · trial · burden · impediment · limitation · constraint · restriction
inexperience
Lack of prior exposure
- unfamiliarityLack of prior knowledge
- unawarenessState of not knowing
- incomprehensionLack of understanding
cluelessness · naiveté · unreadiness · illiteracy · blindness · obliviousness · greenness · rawness · novice · untrained
- lack of skillincompetence, ineptitude, clumsiness, awkwardness, inexperience
- Incompetencebungle, failure, botch, blunder, ineptitude
- weaknessesweakness, flaw, failing, defect, shortcoming
- physical weaknessweakness, frailty, feebleness, poor health, debility
inabilityability
Power to do something
capability · capacity · power · potential · faculty
inabilitycompetence
Adequate ability to function
skill · proficiency · talent · competency · aptitude