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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crippling
Noun
-
The overwhelming majority of the teens at the lakefront were not there intending to cause harm.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2026
-
Some of these people are trying to inflict harm on this transaction really because of their own antisemitic views.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
2 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
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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
Verb
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Peat pots, paper pots, milk cartons, and other disposable materials make a great first potting container as they can be cut away from the root ball without damaging roots.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
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However, once the first layer of circuits and metal wiring is completed, additional layers must remain below about 400 degrees Celsius to avoid damaging existing structures.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced Pouncey, 37, of Gary, to 176 years Friday for killing Klorya and her husband Kyle Matthews in April 2024, and paralyzing a third man, Malieke Thomas, 55, who later died.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
The plan would block global flights at certain airports, paralyzing travel for some of the biggest cities in the country — especially New York City.—
Amethyst Martinez,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
Noun
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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
-
Bolton, 67, was charged with one felony count of mutilation of election material and one misdemeanor count of disregarding election code, according to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Blessing then smashed into the wall of a nearby home, disabling his Tahoe, police said.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
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According to police, Cope refused to stop and continued fleeing after troopers attempted a PIT maneuver, disabling one state police patrol vehicle.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
Verb
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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
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Now, her engagement to the most influential eligible Commander in Gilead has been called off, marring her reputation.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Congress can pursue fiscal responsibility without undermining one of the most focused and effective nutrition programs in the federal government.—
Sam Raus,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2026
-
If organizations aren’t careful, their approach to AI will split their workforce into haves and have-nots, undermining the technology’s benefits.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crippling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crippling. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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