crippling 1 of 2

crippling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of cripple
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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 crippling
Noun
The 12-day barrage came on the back of a series of setbacks for Iran’s leaders, including the crippling of its regional allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Brian Bennett, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
Eddie Marsan also delivers a sympathetic turn as the sad sack dad worn down by the effects of capitalism and sometimes crippling OCD. Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026 Crucially, the strike targeted a critical AVT-6 distillation unit, potentially crippling the refinery's entire 12 million tons/year capacity,. David Hambling, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 The fall broke both his legs, crippling him. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 14 June 2026 The Ukrainian military sank several Russian warships in the Black Sea and at their Crimean bases, crippling Moscow’s naval capability and forcing it to redeploy its fleet to Novorossiysk. ABC News, 11 June 2026 However, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller — who lost the recent Republican primary to a candidate backed by Abbott — said the federal response will take too long and risks crippling the cattle industry. Jeffrey Collins, Fortune, 9 June 2026 Anxiety over ChatGPT and other emerging technology helped derail talks with both unions and the AMPTP in 2023, leading to crippling dual strikes. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 May 2026 But, in a separate incident reported by Reuters, it was revealed that Musk did cut service in eastern Ukraine around the same time, crippling a planned Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kherson. Ben Tarnoff, Big Think, 23 Apr. 2026 Eden outlined how, by crippling universities over charges of antisemitism, McMahon could also achieve larger goals. Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crippling
Noun
  • Although the petition against the fireworks was not started by the nonprofit, the group shares concerns about the event and sent a letter to officials last month outlining the harms caused by the fireworks.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026
  • Some ships, eager to get out of harm’s the war’s way, may have their vessels towed tug their boats out of the strait before they’re cleaned.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Tabitha grabs one of the weird, spooky totem things and drives it through the chest of the scarecrow monster attacking Donna, killing it – or at least incapacitating it – and the scarecrows retreat.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
  • One of four passengers in Bain’s car, 22-year-old Destiny Betts, suffered incapacitating injuries and was transported to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial from the scene, according to the report.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The detection comes as communities across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta continue to grapple with the invasive species, which can rapidly reproduce and attach themselves to hard surfaces, clogging water intake pipes and damaging infrastructure while disrupting native ecosystems.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 28 June 2026
  • Amid explosive fire conditions in southern Utah, the Cottonwood fire has ballooned to more than 144 square miles, damaging a ski resort, forcing evacuations and grounding firefighting aircraft in dangerous winds.
    Ty ONeil, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • His grief was crushing, paralyzing, calamitous.
    Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
  • The tiniest decisions were paralyzing.
    Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
Noun
  • The killings were engineered to terrify the remaining Poles into fleeing westward, so extensive documentation was spread of the accompanying torture and mutilation.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 20 June 2026
  • Idaho law enforcement agencies are investigating the killing and mutilation of livestock across Southern Idaho in recent weeks, according to a news release that Idaho State Police shared Friday.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Oftentimes, disabling security protections is frowned upon.
    Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 22 June 2026
  • Anthropic complied within hours, disabling the models for all customers globally, though other models remain active.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Lined with live oaks and old-fashioned, busy storefronts, this artsy town on the Gulf of Mexico has no commercial development marring its shoreline.
    Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
  • In Strasbourg, groups of Palace supporters clashed among themselves in a square in the city centre, marring the occasion.
    Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Facilitating investment in Ukraine’s natural resources sector would put more minerals and gas under US influence, and leverage them to achieve the broader foreign policy objective of undermining Russia.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 25 June 2026
  • The real focus should be on utilities demonstrating how future T&D investments will efficiently deliver power, rather than undermining competition or seeking a return to less competitive systems.
    David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crippling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crippling. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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