incapacitate

verb

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce incapacitate (audio)
incapacitated; incapacitating

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of capacity or natural power : disable
2
: to make legally incapable or ineligible
incapacitation noun

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

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of incapacitate was in 1657

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.

Kids Definition

incapacitate

verb
in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce incapacitate (audio)
incapacitated; incapacitating
: to make incapable : disable
incapacitation noun

Legal Definition

incapacitate

transitive verb
in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce incapacitate (audio)
incapacitated; incapacitating
1
: to make legally incapable or ineligible
mental illness alone will not incapacitate a person from making a valid contractLandmark Med. Ctr. v. Gauthier, 635 A.2d 1145 (1994)
2
: to deprive of capacity or natural power
an injury that incapacitates the employee
incapacitation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on incapacitate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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