unable
Lacking the means
Unable means lacking the ability, power, or means to do something: I was unable to attend the meeting, She found herself unable to speak.
It's the negative form of able, used where "can't" would sound too casual or where the construction requires an adjective: patients unable to walk, unable to help himself, he laughed.
Lacking requisite ability
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- helplessUnable to act independently
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
- ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose
incompetent · unfit · unqualified · inadequate · deficient · inept · unskilled · unprepared
Not achieving desired outcome
- futileIncapable of producing results
- uselessWithout practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
- unavailingProducing no result
ineffective · unproductive · thwarted · blocked · stymied · frustrated · foiled · prevented
Having imposed disadvantage
- impairedWeakened in function
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- incapacitatedMade unable to act
- inaccessibleCannot be reached
accommodations · assistive · accessibility · barriers · limitations · restricted · adaptive · wheelchair-bound
Open to attack
- dependentRequiring outside support
- subjugatedBrought under control
- disempoweredDeprived of authority or influence
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
submissive · hands tied · constrained · restrained · trapped · oppressed · controlled · dominated
incapable
Lacking requisite ability
- powerlessLacking strength or authority
- helplessUnable to act independently
- impotentLacking power or efficacy
ineffectual · incompetent · unfit · unqualified · inadequate · deficient · inept · unskilled · unprepared · unequipped
unsuccessful
Not achieving desired outcome
- futileIncapable of producing results
- uselessWithout practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
unavailing · ineffective · unproductive · thwarted · blocked · stymied · frustrated · foiled · prevented · stalled
handicapped
Having imposed disadvantage
- impairedWeakened in function
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- incapacitatedMade unable to act
inaccessible · accommodations · assistive · accessibility · barriers · limitations · restricted · adaptive · wheelchair-bound · bedridden
vulnerable
Open to attack
- dependentRequiring outside support
- subjugatedBrought under control
- disempoweredDeprived of authority or influence
overwhelmed · submissive · hands tied · constrained · restrained · trapped · oppressed · controlled · dominated · silenced