1
as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
the malfunctioning of a single component can incapacitate the engine
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to cripple
to cause severe or permanent injury to
the stroke left her completely incapacitated
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incapacitate
According to the lawsuit, later that evening, three masked men entered the home and allegedly raped her repeatedly — both anally and orally — while she was incapacitated, and continued the assault until the next day.
—
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 27 June 2025
Now in her 21st year in office, Howard recalled the warmth and support that came her way in 2019 from her House colleagues when her husband was stricken with the incapacitating illness that would claim his life the following year.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The woman said she was incapacitated after a night of heavy drinking and was unable to give consent.
—CBS News, 3 July 2025
He was found guilty this week after a two-and-a-half week trial where the victim testified she was incapacitated after heavy drinking at the party and unable to provide consent.
—Chris Biderman
july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 27 June 2025
Now in her 21st year in office, Howard recalled the warmth and support that came her way in 2019 from her House colleagues when her husband was stricken with the incapacitating illness that would claim his life the following year.
—John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The woman said she was incapacitated after a night of heavy drinking and was unable to give consent.
—CBS News, 3 July 2025
He was found guilty this week after a two-and-a-half week trial where the victim testified she was incapacitated after heavy drinking at the party and unable to provide consent.
—Chris Biderman
july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate
Verb
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At a time when institutions are bending the knee to Donald Trump and the Democratic Party is paralyzed, the WFP is building capacity, strategically leveraging power, and engaging voters in cities big and small.—
Theo Oshiro,
New York Daily News,
14 Aug. 2025
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The breach paralyzed billing and claims systems for weeks across the U.S. healthcare network.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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Trump’s suggestion of easing economic restrictions has drawn sharp criticism from European allies, who warn that any premature normalization could undermine the unified Western stance on sanctions and harm Ukraine’s position in ongoing negotiations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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Israeli authorities have stated that Chinese involvement in missile development or supply could directly undermine Israel's defense efforts.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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With Ter Stegen injured and the returning Wojciech Szczesny not yet registered either, having signed a new contract in July after his initial short-term from last September expired.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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Three people are dead and 10 are injured after multiple shooters opened fire in a New York City lounge, the New York City Police Department says.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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More than 2,700 children have been killed or maimed since February 2022, according to UNICEF.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
10 July 2025
-
Walpole pleaded guilty to one charge of burning or maiming by using corrosive fluid, the outlet reported.—
Lesley Cosme Torres,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Verb
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Eight civilians were killed and 33 were wounded in the eastern province of Donetsk.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
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The girl was taking her dogs outside when the hog came out of thick brush and attacked her, wounding her leg.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Some of these technologies are essential for ensuring the proper functioning of the service or website and cannot be disabled, while others are optional but serve to enhance the user experience in various ways.—
Matthew Strauss,
Pitchfork,
15 Aug. 2025
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This tab logs all your previous chats and has options to disable or delete them.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The storm killed more than 400 people and caused more than $100 million in damage, or $2.3 billion in today’s dollars.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
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Most of the strikes occur in the summer, killing 20 people each year, according to the NWS.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
16 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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