differently abled

Definition of differently ablednext
as in disabled
deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities won a gold medal in the Paralympics, an international Olympic competition for the differently abled

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 differently abled The incubator is open to founders who identify as women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, differently abled, seniors, aged 65-plus, and/or from low-income backgrounds. Sharon Edelson, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Holy Angels is a nonprofit organization that employs differently abled individuals and puts the profits from its businesses back into supporting people with disabilities. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2025 This is a president who, while campaigning for his first term in office, imitated the arm motions of a New York Times reporter who is differently abled. Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025 Though some employees are differently abled or require more help than others, Alyse said they are held to the same standards — high ones, as is evident to anyone who dines at Freeland’s. Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2025 Adopting Ash showed Isom, of Houston, Texas, that there are many other cats out there who are differently abled but still deserve to be loved. Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025 Its wellness pool has a ramp for wheelchairs to encourage differently abled to make the most of these soothing waters, which provide relief to tired joints and muscles or nurture sensitive skin. Savannah Romero, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2023 The nonprofit also glommed onto the fact that technology trials for sortation and other forms of preparation must be a priority because many of its employees are differently abled, meaning that adaptations will need to be made. Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for differently abled
Adjective
  • On July 7, two weeks after Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, the predominantly Jewish town of Berdichev, where Grossman’s disabled mother was living, was occupied by the German army.
    Nick Holdstock, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026
  • And some disabled people have had their caregiving slashed by new algorithmic assessments.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • That’s where cognition becomes impaired, muscle contraction becomes impaired, and metabolism actually slows.
    Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Overdosing on the drug can cause extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma and possible death.
    Natasha Holt, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Differently abled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differently%20abled. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster