Learn English – Word for “they couldn’t do it even if they wanted to”

single-word-requests

If I were to say something like:

  • "They couldn't have done X."
  • "They're incapable of having done X."
  • "It's not possible that they did X."

It can be interpreted in one of two ways:

  1. They're morally/psychologically incapable of doing X (like I'm physically capable of murdering someone, but I'd never be able to bring myself to do so).
  2. It's physically/logistically/biologically impossible for them to have done X (like it's impossible for the government to fake the existence of the Moon).

Is there any single word which will convey meaning #2, so I won't have to use some wordy phrasing like "they couldn't do it even if they wanted to"?

Best Answer

Physically impaired

  1. Weakened or damaged.


Psychologically incapacitated

  1. Prevent from functioning in a normal way.

Impaired and incapacitated can generally be used interchangeably too.


Logistically impractical

  1. North American: Impossible to do; impracticable.

Also, [not] feasible

Possible and practical to do easily or conveniently.


Morally bound {to do [or not do] something}

bound3:

1.1. Obliged by law, circumstances, or duty to do something.


Source used: Oxford English Dictionary

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