Definition Synonyms
Definition of cannot - Reverso English Dictionary
Auxiliary verb
1.
abilityexpress inability or impossibility to do something
- I cannot swim across the river.
2.
grammarexpress prohibition or lack of permission to do something
- You cannot enter this room without permission.
Expressions with cannot
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be unable to stop oneself from doing something
She cannot help laughing at his jokes.
feel strong dislike or intolerance for something
I cannot stand the noise from the construction.
impossible to satisfy all people
She learned the hard way that you cannot please everyone.
cannot be eliminated from consideration as a potential outcome or cause
Investigators said an equipment fault cannot be ruled out yet.
make promises you cannot fulfill
He tends to write cheques you cannot cash with his big talk.
people cannot change their true nature or character
Despite his promises, a leopard cannot change its spots.
people in need must accept what is given
When offered a job, he remembered beggars cannot be choosers.
impossible to change or avoid
The rain ruined our picnic, but it cannot be helped.
showing extreme indifference or lack of concern
She cannot care less about the rumors spreading around school.
cannot avoid doing something even if you want to stop
I cannot help but laugh at his jokes.
feel unable to stop oneself from doing something
She cannot help herself from eating chocolate every day.
unable to see clearly due to obstruction or impairment
After the accident, he cannot see straight.
feel compelled to think something is true
I cannot but think she is right.
be unable to attend
I cannot make it to the meeting tomorrow.
having no mistakes or flaws at all
Her performance cannot be faulted.
express involuntary curiosity or doubt about something
I cannot help wondering what happened to him.
actions completed cannot be reversed or changed
She realized that what's done cannot be undone.
the situation must remain as it is
With these rules, it cannot be otherwise.
be beyond criticism or blame in behavior or actions
It cannot be faulted, how calmly she handled the crisis.
feel compelled to experience something
I cannot help but get excited about the trip.
feeling compelled to question or doubt something
One cannot help wondering whether one will arrive on time.
find impossible to truly understand or imagine something
I cannot fathom why he left without saying goodbye.
find no fair reason to criticize someone or something in a situation
You cannot fault their effort in the final match.
argument that cannot be denied or contradicted
The evidence was so clear that the argument cannot be gainsaid.
Origin of cannot
Old English, cunnan (to be able) + not (negation)
Terms with cannot included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
secure
fasten something so it cannot be opened without a key
can't help
cannot avoid or stop
control
set a maximum boundary so something cannot go beyond it
unrealistic request
request something that cannot be done or given
impossible request
ask for something that cannot be done or achieved
choking food
cannot be swallowed or move down the throat
irreparable
cannot be fixed or restored
physical distance
in a place where it cannot be reached
lack of sight
someone who cannot see
stop movement
stand in the way so someone cannot go forward
physical movement
stand in front of someone so they cannot pass
forgetting
time or detail someone cannot remember
guessing games
admit you cannot guess an answer and ask to be told
concealment
moving to a place where one cannot be found
confusion
do not know or cannot understand something
acceptance
accepting that events happen and cannot be changed
reluctant acceptance
said to stress a fact or outcome cannot be changed by feelings
memory pressure
suddenly cannot think of anything to say or do
cannot relax
unable to relax because of too much thinking
retail
policy where items cannot be refunded or exchanged
impossibility
something that is impossible or cannot happen
traffic
area where cars cannot be parked
inability
person who cannot swim
sheltered place
in a place where the wind cannot reach
Examples of cannot in a sentence
He cannot lift the heavy box alone. You cannot park your car here after 6 PM. They cannot use the software without a valid license.
View all translations of cannot
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:ne pas pouvoir, ne pas être autorisé à, ...
- German:kann nicht, ist nicht erlaubt zu, ...
- Italian:non posso, non può, ...
- Spanish:no poder, no puede, ...
- Portuguese:não consigo, não pode, ...
- Chinese:不能, 不得, ...
- Japanese:〜できない, 〜してはいけない, ...
- Arabic:لا يستطيع, لا يُمْكِن, ...
- Hebrew:לֹא יָכוֹל, אָסוּר, ...
- Russian:не мочь, не может, ...
- Ukrainian:не можу, не можна, ...
- Hindi:नहीं कर सकता, कर नहीं सकता, ...
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