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

an injury that incapacitated her

learned how to incapacitate an attacker

2

: to make legally incapable or ineligible

Infancy does not incapacitate the infant from bringing the action …

—Henry v. City of New York, 724 N.E.2d 372 (1999)

incapacitation

ˌin-kə-ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of incapacitate

• paralyze
• cripple
• undermine

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

The medical professional also checked the boxes saying Grayson would be incapacitated within six months and his condition was unlikely to improve. — Jerry Nowicki, CBS News, 31 July 2026

The doctor did not, however, deem Grayson medically incapacitated, finding that the cancer does not interfere with his ability to take care of himself in daily life. — Ava Kelley, NBC news, 31 July 2026

Furthermore, the Iranians are far from disabled, disarmed and incapacitated. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026

Because Willis is incapacitated and cannot manage her own affairs, judicial approval was required. — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for incapacitate

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate
• isocyanate

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