incapacitate

verb

Save Word

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

incapacitated; incapacitating

Definition of incapacitate

transitive verb

1 : to make legally incapable or ineligible

2 : to deprive of capacity or natural power : disable

Other Words from incapacitate Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about incapacitate

Keep scrolling for more

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 Magazines holding cartridges powerful enough to incapacitate an assailant with one hit could hold 10 rounds, while those with less effective cartridges would be allowed a few more. — Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, "Letters: Don’t dry up the San Luis Valley (9/22/19)," 22 Sep. 2019 Were Merkel to be incapacitated, Steinmeier would appoint a cabinet minister as acting chancellor until parliament elects a new chancellor, according to Reuters. — Alexander Smith, NBC News, "Angela Merkel seen shaking in public for third time in a month," 10 July 2019 This part of the amendment has been applied, without fanfare, a couple of times when a president was going to be briefly incapacitated because of anesthesia. — The Conversation, oregonlive.com, "Here’s an expert’s opinion on why Trump haters shouldn’t expect help from 25th Amendment," 15 June 2019 In two court hearings, prosecutors also have indicated Kantor used drugs to incapacitate at least some of the accusers. — Dan Morse, baltimoresun.com, "Four women say he raped them after they’d passed out. Will a new Maryland law enable all four to testify?," 10 June 2019 Police in Wyoming used Tasers to incapacitate a moose that had become tangled in a hammock before freeing the unfortunate animal. — Fox News, "Cops use Tasers to incapacitate and free moose tangled in a hammock," 11 Sep. 2019 Last winter, when a blizzard was forecasted to potentially incapacitate the New York City metropolitan area, city leaders made a 6 p.m. decision to close schools the next day. — Alissa Walker, Curbed, "How better weather forecasts are changing the way cities are run," 26 July 2019 When Massachusetts lawmakers approved a program to release prisoners who are incapacitated or terminally ill, proponents hailed it as a compassionate, practical measure that could save taxpayers millions in health care costs. — Gal Tziperman Lotan, BostonGlobe.com, "In first year of medical parole, just four inmates granted reprieve," 15 July 2019 Under the act, states removed voters for not voting, moving between voting districts, death, committing a disqualifying crime, or being judged mentally incapacitated. — NBC News, "States removed 17 million voters from rolls in two years, government agency says," 27 June 2019

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about incapacitate

Dictionary Entries near incapacitate

Statistics for incapacitate

Last Updated

13 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Incapacitate.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacitate. Accessed 22 November 2019.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for incapacitate

incapacitate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of incapacitate

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

See the full definition for incapacitate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

incapacitate

transitive verb

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

incapacitated; incapacitating

Legal Definition of incapacitate

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

Keep scrolling for more