incapacitate
verb
in·ca·pac·i·tate
ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt 
incapacitated; incapacitating
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)
Henry v. City of New York, 724 N.E.2d 372 (1999)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 Folsom victim also was incapacitated, unable to move her arms and legs and unable to speak, when she was attacked.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
At the time, the DA's office said Lynch's status would be reviewed in one year, unless he is found to be no longer incapacitated before then.
—Katie Houlis, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
As with other Cosby accusers, Donna Motsinger alleges that Cosby incapacitated her with some sort of drug to facilitate the attack, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
The biggest development was the discovery of an audio signal Regan could use to incapacitate the monsters.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
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Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
At the time, the DA's office said Lynch's status would be reviewed in one year, unless he is found to be no longer incapacitated before then.
—Katie Houlis, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
As with other Cosby accusers, Donna Motsinger alleges that Cosby incapacitated her with some sort of drug to facilitate the attack, according to court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2026
The biggest development was the discovery of an audio signal Regan could use to incapacitate the monsters.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacitate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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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