disable

dis·able

verb \dis-ˈā-bəl, diz-ˈā-\

dis·ableddis·abling\-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of DISABLE

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of legal right, qualification, or capacity

2

: to make incapable or ineffective; especially : to deprive of physical, moral, or intellectual strength

— dis·able·ment \-bəl-mənt\ noun

Examples of DISABLE

1. <a promising athlete who was severely disabled in a plane crash>
2. <disabled the controls for unauthorized users>

First Known Use of DISABLE

15th century

Related to DISABLE

Synonyms: cripple, maim, incapacitate, lame, mutilate

Related Words: dismember, hamstring, hobble, paralyze; batter, bruise, bung up, mangle, maul, rough (up); gore, lacerate, wing, wound; disfigure, scar; kneecap; break, damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure; bash, beat, belt, bludgeon, buffet, drub, hammer, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, paste, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, thump; bang, box, hit, punch, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thrash, thwack, whack; flog, lash, wallop, whip; kill, murder; torment, torture

Near Antonyms: cure, heal, rehabilitate, remedy; doctor, fix, mend, patch; rejuvenate, renew, repair, restore

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at weaken

Rhymes with DISABLE

enable, instable, pin-table, retable, round table, timetable, turntable, unable, unstable, worktable