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
With Children, director Randa Haines managed to break new ground for representation and set new standards for authentic filmmaking, while tackling deeply complex issues of identity and the differently abled’s place in society.
—
John Ortved, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2025
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
For Lamb, meaningful inclusion means building systems that support both the gifted and the differently abled.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 6 May 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
John Ortved, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2025
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
For Lamb, meaningful inclusion means building systems that support both the gifted and the differently abled.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 6 May 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
-
Scott Quigley — which led to the death of a disabled man — staties seem concerned about the consequences the sergeant would face.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The monthly payments themselves vary widely, from roughly $180 at the low end to nearly $5,000 for the most severely disabled veterans, with higher sums tied to the number of dependents and the depth of impairment.—
Steven Beynon,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While many of us who are blind or visually impaired live fulfilling, independent lives going to work, school and other activities, our biggest barrier to full participation in society is affordable, reliable transportation.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The same thing happened to Nestor Ponce-Rivas, 31, who reported to court for a hearing on driving while impaired and child abuse charges.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Differently abled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differently%20abled. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
