as in harm
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1
as in incapacitating
to cause severe or permanent injury to
the car crash may have crippled two people for life
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2
as in damaging
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the collision so severely crippled the ship that it had to be towed into port
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3
as in paralyzing
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a wave of strikes crippled that nation's steel industry
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Recent Examples of crippling
Brian Bennett, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Confidence in Israel’s ability to seriously damage Iran’s nuclear program has slipped from 62% to 48%; expectations of crippling its ballistic missile arsenal have dropped from 73% to 57%.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
All three largely believe the war caused the high gas and grocery prices that are crippling the nation’s economy.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
This creates permanent skin damage around the well, fundamentally destroying its natural permeability and crippling its long-term productivity.
—Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Answers varied in emphasizing the elimination of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, crippling its ability to project force, or toppling the regime altogether.
—Nik Popli, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
So, in June last year, the president seized the moment by crippling Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
So if half that tariff money goes away, that will mean a larger, but not crippling federal deficit.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
The department blamed Congress for a sudden $120 million shortfall, but the Herald/Times reported this week that the department’s own actions are crippling the program.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Eden outlined how, by crippling universities over charges of antisemitism, McMahon could also achieve larger goals.
—Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
Confidence in Israel’s ability to seriously damage Iran’s nuclear program has slipped from 62% to 48%; expectations of crippling its ballistic missile arsenal have dropped from 73% to 57%.
—Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2026
All three largely believe the war caused the high gas and grocery prices that are crippling the nation’s economy.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
This creates permanent skin damage around the well, fundamentally destroying its natural permeability and crippling its long-term productivity.
—Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026
Answers varied in emphasizing the elimination of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, crippling its ability to project force, or toppling the regime altogether.
—Nik Popli, Time, 26 Mar. 2026
So, in June last year, the president seized the moment by crippling Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2026
So if half that tariff money goes away, that will mean a larger, but not crippling federal deficit.
—Nina Totenberg, NPR, 21 Feb. 2026
The department blamed Congress for a sudden $120 million shortfall, but the Herald/Times reported this week that the department’s own actions are crippling the program.
—Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crippling
Noun
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No harm, no foul — as long as the commission bosses back the changes, Zelden said.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Apr. 2026
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Many hospital systems in Connecticut have stopped suing their patients over unpaid bills, stung by criticism about the harm caused by aggressive collection tactics.—
Noam N. Levey,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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The defendant at the trial, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, argued that its policy covered only losses resulting from a medically verified, incapacitating illness.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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One of the vehicles apparently also slammed into the rear of a parked silver BMW, damaging it, as well.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
12 Apr. 2026
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On Friday, the actor and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racer was involved in wreck with Tyler Reif and Timmy Hill on the Bristol Motor Speedway, damaging his Malcolm in the Middle themed Ford F-150 and taking him out of the race.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At age 14, Arias was caught in the crossfire of a shootout between rival gangs, paralyzing him from the waist down.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
8 Mar. 2026
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In a region where weather swings from paralyzing ice storms to scorching summers, these elements carry weight.—
Mary Grace Granados
Special Contributor,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This online collection included images of mutilation and tying up women with ropes, two things prosecutors said are consistent with injuries inflicted on Mack and how she was bound, officials said.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
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The bill would make genital mutilation of a girl under age 18 a class D felony.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Lending more credence to that theory is Dell’s explanation when asked about disabling HEVC support in November.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 Apr. 2026
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To qualify for the Alsip housing, residents must be chronically homeless and have a disabling condition, which Rounds said often prevents them from working or living independently.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Ancient lava fields can be seen as dark lunar maria marring the silvery lunar surface, which themselves are threaded with bright streaks of reflective debris strewn across the surface by violent asteroid strikes.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The markets, which include Polymarket and its chief rival Kalshi, have been criticized for everything from undermining the integrity of sports to contributing to an online betting addiction crisis among young men.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Any sustained rise in energy prices risks widening the current account deficit and undermining macroeconomic stability.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crippling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crippling. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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