incapables

Those lacking ability

Incapables are people who lack the ability or competence to do something, especially to manage their own affairs.

The term often appears in legal or administrative contexts: The court appointed guardians for the incapables.

It can sound clinical or dismissive when applied broadly to groups deemed unable to function independently.

disabled

wheelchair

Seated conveyance for mobility-impaired

accessibilityEase of approach
prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
sign-languageCommunication through gestures

ramp · assistive · rehabilitation · therapy · inclusion · accommodation · impairment · handicapped · invalids · infirm

incompetent

inept

Lacking skill or competence

unskilledLacking acquired competence
bunglingMishandling through incompetence
unqualifiedLacking required credentials

ineffective · unprofessional · untrained · blundering · maladroit · fumbling · bumbling · amateurish · hopeless · useless

legal

minors

Those below legal age

wardsProtected dependents or districts
dependentsPeople financially supported
incompetentsThose lacking skill

guardianship · conservatorship · custodianship · trusteeship · incapacity · disqualified · ineligible · disenfranchised · unfit · interdicted

helpless

vulnerable

Open to attack

defenselessWithout means to resist
powerlessLacking strength or authority
dependentRequiring outside support

frail · weak · stranded · forlorn · abandoned · exposed · unprotected · needy · desperate · adrift

Opposites

ability/competence

incapablesexperts

Highly skilled practitioners

masters · adepts · skilled workers · achievers · performers

qualification/fitness

incapableseligibles

Those who qualify

dependables · professionals · worthies · reliables · assets

Family

incapable, incapably

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G