CRIPPLE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'cripple' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cripple are batter , maim , mangle , and mutilate . While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg. // crippled for life in an accident

Q: Where would 'batter' be a reasonable alternative to 'cripple'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cripple , batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate. // an old ship battered by fierce storms

Q: In what contexts can 'maim' take the place of 'cripple'?

The words maim and cripple can be used in similar contexts, but maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence. // maimed by a shark

Q: When is 'mangle' a more appropriate choice than 'cripple'?

Although the words mangle and cripple have much in common, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds. // a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Q: When can 'mutilate' be used instead of 'cripple'?

While the synonyms mutilate and cripple are close in meaning, mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function. // a tree mutilated by inept pruning

cripple

verb

Definition of cripple

as in to incapacitate

to cause severe or permanent injury to the car crash may have crippled two people for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to injure

to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of the collision so severely crippled the ship that it had to be towed into port

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to paralyze

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move a wave of strikes crippled that nation's steel industry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cripple contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cripple are batter, maim, mangle, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

Where would batter be a reasonable alternative to cripple?

While in some cases nearly identical to cripple, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

In what contexts can maim take the place of cripple?

The words maim and cripple can be used in similar contexts, but maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When is mangle a more appropriate choice than cripple?

Although the words mangle and cripple have much in common, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When can mutilate be used instead of cripple?

While the synonyms mutilate and cripple are close in meaning, mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function.

a tree mutilated by inept pruning

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cripple Russia has been doing this since the start of the war, terrorizing Ukrainian cities with aerial assaults that have killed thousands of civilians and crippled much of the country’s energy grid for months on end. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 15 July 2026 Washington denounces Cuba’s overseas medical missions as exploitative and presses allies to drop them, but Calabria’s governor says losing the doctors would cripple care and vows to keep them. — Paolo Santalucia, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026 Data loss via staff cuts Widespread staff cuts starting in early 2025 across the Department of Health and Human Services, which houses the CDC, crippled much of the agency’s data collection and dissemination. — John Kubale, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 The Senate, Electoral College and other compromises enabled the few to overrule the many in ways that still cripple national action. — Max Taves, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cripple

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cripple

Verb

Many department policies tell officers to move out of the way of a vehicle rather than shoot because of the potential harm to bystanders who could be struck by unintended gunfire or by a careening vehicle if the driver is incapacitated.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
Last August, Parithad was catapulted into the position of CEO, after a court deemed Chuchat legally incapacitated.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 13 July 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Lindsay Clancy, who was paralyzed by the injuries from her suicide attempt, was charged with three counts of murder and strangulation in her children’s deaths.

— Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
In fact, if the knife had landed a centimeter to the left, she would have been paralyzed.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

Despite a disabling illness, Ettenberg continues expanding these essential tools, ensuring others can dine with confidence.

— Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
In September, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services sent a notice denying her coverage, citing incorrect income information and stating she wasn't disabled, according to Kolosova and state documents reviewed by KFF Health News.

— Rachana Pradhan, NPR, 20 July 2026

Definition of disable

Verb

Electrical generation units were damaged in the attack, Kuwait’s Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said in a statement.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
The city of La Guaira has borne the brunt of the devastation, though the capital city of Caracas has also seen buildings damaged and evacuated by the hundreds and essential services knocked out.

— Cristina Guevara, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

Opponents, however, argue the legislation could undermine California’s leadership in the technology industry.

— Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
South Africa closed its two major refineries in 2022 after new fuel regulations undermined their commercial logic.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 July 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

Four Kuwaiti service members were wounded by an Iranian attack on a Kuwaiti naval vessel, the country’s Defense Ministry said.

— Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Morgan was fatally wounded, and despite officers and emergency medical personnel attempting life-saving measures, Morgan was pronounced dead at the scene.

— Martha Ross, Mercury News, 19 July 2026

Definition of wound

Verb

To prevent a similar war from happening again, Menelaus scarred her face, permanently marring her famous beauty.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
In an address from the White House tonight, the president sought to reveal proof for his baseless assertions of a 2020 vote marred by fraud.

— Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Definition of mar

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crinkling

cripple

crippled

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“Cripple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cripple. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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