incapacitate

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

Definition of incapacitate

incapacitated; incapacitating

transitive verb

1 :to make legally incapable or ineligible

2 :to deprive of capacity or natural power :disable

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incapacitation

play \ˌin-kə-ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən\ noun

See incapacitate defined for English-language learners

See incapacitate defined for kids

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 of incapacitate from the Web

Ouch! The opposition is defenseless and will be, at least briefly, incapacitated and potentially killed by a ball coming at 90-100 MPH.

— gabriel baumgaertner, SI.com, "After Yankees-Tigers Brawl, Has Baseball's Beanball Culture Gone Too Far?," 25 Aug. 2017
With her dad incapacitated in the car, Caroline allegedly took over.

— kenzie bryant, Vanities, "How a Kennedy Family Party Devolved Into an “Angry Mob,” According to Cape Cod Police," 23 Aug. 2017
Tourism and business would be incapacitated for an indeterminate length of time.

— jason samenow, Washington Post, "Bryan Norcross, hero of Hurricane Andrew: Florida is ‘not remotely prepared’ for the next one," 23 Aug. 2017
Prosecutor Patyl Oflazian told the jury during closing arguments that the victim, who testified Tuesday, was clearly incapacitated during the incident.

— rafael olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Jury convicts man in Hard Rock parking lot sexual battery case," 17 Aug. 2017
The elder Lee has been incapacitated since a heart attack in 2014, leaving Lee Jae-yong as Samsung Electronics’ de facto leader.

— jeyup s. kwaak, The Seattle Times, "As Samsung executive awaits verdict, his company surges," 7 Aug. 2017
That has raised some questions as to whether the company actually needs the son of its incapacitated patriarch to succeed him as CEO.

— alan murray, Fortune, "CEO Daily: Monday, 7th August," 7 Aug. 2017
The CareCard contains information first responders can access if a person becomes incapacitated or goes missing.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Police Department Offers CareCard," 27 July 2017
New Jersey State Police deployed a tactical robot inside the apartment and were able to see that Wass was incapacitated on his couch.

— robert moran, Philly.com, "Evesham man charged with shooting at Burlco police," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incapacitate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of incapacitate

1657

incapacitate Synonyms

Synonyms

cripple, disable, hamstring, immobilize, paralyze, prostrate

Related Words

attenuate, debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, sap, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken; hobble, lame; maim, mutilate; knock out

Near Antonyms

energize, galvanize, invigorate, vitalize; fortify, strengthen; empower; freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, restore, revitalize, revive

INCAPACITATE Defined for English Language Learners

incapacitate

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verb

Definition of incapacitate for English Language Learners

: to make (someone or something) unable to work, move, or function in the usual way

Law Dictionary

incapacitate

play

transitive verb in·ca·pac·i·tate \ ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt \

legal Definition of incapacitate

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

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incapacitation

play \-ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən\ noun

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See words that rhyme with incapacitate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for incapacitate Spanish Central: Translation of incapacitate Nglish: Translation of incapacitate for Spanish speakers

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Examples of incapacitate in a Sentence

Recent Examples of incapacitate from the Web

First Known Use of incapacitate

incapacitate Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

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INCAPACITATE Defined for English Language Learners

incapacitate

Definition of incapacitate for English Language Learners

Law Dictionary

incapacitate

legal Definition of incapacitate

incapacitation

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