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Impotent vs Incapable - What's the difference?

impotent | incapable |

As adjectives the difference between impotent and incapable

is that impotent is lacking physical strength or vigor; weak while incapable is not capable (of doing something); unable.

As a noun incapable is

(dated) one who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

impotent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak.
  • Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless
  • * Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent (Freeman J. Dyson).
  • Incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection.
  • (of a male) Sterile.
  • (obsolete) Lacking self-restraint.
  • * Dryden
    • Impotent of tongue, her silence broke.

    Synonyms

    * (lacking strength) feeble, puny, weak * (lacking power) helpless, powerless * (incapable of sexual intercourse) * (lacking self-restraint) incontinent

    Antonyms

    * potent

    Related terms

    * impotence

    incapable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not capable (of doing something); unable.
    • A pint glass is incapable of holding more than a pint of liquid.
    I consider him incapable of dishonesty.
  • Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit.
    • incapable''' of pain, or pleasure; '''incapable of stain or injury

    Derived terms

    * incapability * incapably

    Related terms

    * incapacitate * incapacitation

    Synonyms

    * (not capable) unable * (not in a state to receive) refusing

    Antonyms

    * capable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (dated) One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.
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