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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Moses Okello, a senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies’ Horn of Africa program, told CNN the attacks appear designed to cripple the city’s ability to function rather than simply hit military targets. — Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 20 July 2026 Would somebody try to poach Bedard or, considering the fact Davidson would have had no choice but to match any offer, cripple the Blackhawks from a roster-building standpoint by signing Bedard to an offer sheet? — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 19 July 2026 The consequences of such an event would not only cripple Starlink and US satellite networks but also those of Russia and China themselves. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 16 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for cripple

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cripple

Verb

Furthermore, the Iranians are far from disabled, disarmed and incapacitated.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
According to the complaint, Willis has been left completely incapacitated since a brief stint at Summit Malibu in early 2024, unable to move or communicate beyond occasionally opening her eyes and sometimes grunting.

— Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Verb

Silva and his mother did not have easy lives, even before he was paralyzed.

— Trevor Morgan, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026
In June of this year, a northern Colorado city agreed to pay $675,000 to settle a lawsuit after police shot and paralyzed Herkimer, a healthy 14-month-old family dog who was later euthanized because of his injuries.

— Vanessa Shakib, Oc Register, 23 July 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

Little Joe's was boarded up after an antique door was heavily damaged as the burglary crew got in and out in about a minute.

— Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
More than 3,200 children have been killed or injured since February 24, 2022, and more than 1,700 schools and education facilities have been damaged or destroyed, leaving one in three children without full-time in-person education.

— Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026

Definition of damage

Verb

In the film, Robin Hood (Jackman), who feels cursed after leading a life of violent crime, is gravely wounded in a battle and seeks a chance at salvation while under the care of the mysterious Sister Brigid (Jodie Comer).

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
The Pentagon also lists 420 troops as wounded in action during Operation Epic Fury.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 26 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cripple

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