incapacitate
verb
in·ca·pac·i·tate
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt 
incapacitated; incapacitating
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 report does not present any evidence of mechanical failures or of a possible bird strike, which could have incapacitated both engines at the same time.
—
Russell Lewis, NPR, 11 July 2025
Trump's dismissal of the CNN and NBC reports comes amid concern about just how incapacitated Iran's nuclear capacity is.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Using a drone, state police were able to confirm both suspects were incapacitated in the room suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Here’s a look at the equipment authorities have used:
Blunt-force weapons and projectiles
Authorities have used several tools that a 2025 report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service noted for their ability to incapacitate using blunt force.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
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Russell Lewis, NPR, 11 July 2025
Trump's dismissal of the CNN and NBC reports comes amid concern about just how incapacitated Iran's nuclear capacity is.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025
Using a drone, state police were able to confirm both suspects were incapacitated in the room suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, police said.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Here’s a look at the equipment authorities have used:
Blunt-force weapons and projectiles
Authorities have used several tools that a 2025 report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service noted for their ability to incapacitate using blunt force.
—Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacitate. Accessed 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incapacitate
verb
in·ca·pac·i·tate
ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ə-ˌtāt
incapacitated; incapacitating
: to make incapable : disable
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)
Landmark Med. Ctr. v. Gauthier, 635 A.2d 1145 (1994)2
: to deprive of capacity or natural power
an injury that incapacitates the employee
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