incapacitate

verb

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt 

incapacitated; incapacitating

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of capacity or natural power : disable

2

: to make legally incapable or ineligible

incapacitation

ˌin-kə-ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• cripple
• disable
• hamstring
• immobilize
• paralyze
• prostrate

Examples of incapacitate in a Sentence

The class teaches you how to incapacitate an attacker.

The stroke left her completely incapacitated.

He was incapacitated by the pain.

a computer system incapacitated by software problems

Recent Examples on the Web

This is incredible for a country that has no navy, to destroy an enemy's advanced navy; for a country that has no air force, to attack and incapacitate the air force bases in Russia. —Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 20 May 2024

His sons hired general manager Mike Elias in 2018, and John Angelos officially took over in 2020 once Peter became incapacitated. —Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

incapacitate

verb

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ə-ˌtāt 

incapacitated; incapacitating

: to make incapable : disable

incapacitation

-ˌpas-ə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

incapacitate

transitive verb

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt 

incapacitated; incapacitating

1

: to make legally incapable or ineligible

mental illness alone will not incapacitate a person from making a valid contract

—Landmark Med. Ctr. v. Gauthier, 635 A.2d 1145 (1994)

2

: to deprive of capacity or natural power

an injury that incapacitates the employee

incapacitation

-ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən 

noun