incapacitate
verb
in·ca·pac·i·tate
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt 
incapacitated; incapacitating
Synonyms
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
All the victims mentioned in the lawsuit allegedly became incapacitated after drinking or using drugs at Williams' apartment or with his accomplices.
—
Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2023
Masterson’s use of drugs to incapacitate his accusers played a prominent role in the case.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
The rest of the photos show the grisly scene that followed, including multiple anglers of the big bruin latching onto and struggling to incapacitate the bear.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 23 Aug. 2023
One victim allegedly became incapacitated after having a drink at Williams' apartment, left in her vehicle, and crashed into the concrete base of a lamppost, dying on impact.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 25 Aug. 2023
Four-fifths of what was going to be their opening day rotation is incapacitated or at Class AAA Columbus.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 29 July 2023
People without shelter or access to water are especially at risk, Dr. Moser said, adding that many of them wind up in emergency rooms after being found incapacitated on the ground, sometimes with secondary burns from the scorching sidewalks.
—Mary Beth Gahan, New York Times, 18 July 2023
Upon final approach on a flight from Westchester, N.Y., on Saturday afternoon, the 79-year-old male pilot was incapacitated by a medical condition onboard the 2006 Piper Meridian Turbo Prop, a six-seat plane, according to the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).
—Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
Justice Minister Yariv Levin is deputy prime minister, but under Israel’s Basic Laws, acting prime minister is a separate role, meaning Levin would not automatically take over if Netanyahu is incapacitated.
—Amir Tal, CNN, 15 July 2023
See More
Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 12 Sep. 2023
Masterson’s use of drugs to incapacitate his accusers played a prominent role in the case.
—Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023
The rest of the photos show the grisly scene that followed, including multiple anglers of the big bruin latching onto and struggling to incapacitate the bear.
—Sage Marshall, Field & Stream, 23 Aug. 2023
One victim allegedly became incapacitated after having a drink at Williams' apartment, left in her vehicle, and crashed into the concrete base of a lamppost, dying on impact.
—Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 25 Aug. 2023
Four-fifths of what was going to be their opening day rotation is incapacitated or at Class AAA Columbus.
—Paul Hoynes, cleveland, 29 July 2023
People without shelter or access to water are especially at risk, Dr. Moser said, adding that many of them wind up in emergency rooms after being found incapacitated on the ground, sometimes with secondary burns from the scorching sidewalks.
—Mary Beth Gahan, New York Times, 18 July 2023
Upon final approach on a flight from Westchester, N.Y., on Saturday afternoon, the 79-year-old male pilot was incapacitated by a medical condition onboard the 2006 Piper Meridian Turbo Prop, a six-seat plane, according to the Massachusetts State Police (MSP).
—Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 17 July 2023
Justice Minister Yariv Levin is deputy prime minister, but under Israel’s Basic Laws, acting prime minister is a separate role, meaning Levin would not automatically take over if Netanyahu is incapacitated.
—Amir Tal, CNN, 15 July 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incapacitate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Dictionary Entries Near incapacitate
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacitate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.
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Kids 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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