Synonyms of disable

disable

verb

dis-ˈā-bəl 

1

as in to cripple

to cause severe or permanent injury to

a promising athlete who was severely disabled in a plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cripple
• incapacitate
• injure
• kill
• mutilate
• wound
• maim
• damage
• scar
• hurt
• lame
• bruise
• paralyze
• hit
• impair
• disfigure
• hobble
• beat
• dismember
• mangle
• harm
• rough (up)
• lacerate
• maul
• wing
• hamstring
• lick
• batter
• pummel
• smash
• box
• punch
• slap
• spank
• paste
• whack
• bludgeon
• swipe
• torture
• murder
• belt
• smack
• gore
• bash
• whip
• bung up
• hammer
• swat
• thump
• bang
• break
• lambaste
• lash
• flog
• thrash
• pelt
• pound
• lambast
• torment
• buffet
• sock
• lace
• kneecap
• drub
• thwack
• wallop
• pommel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cure
• heal
• remedy
• fix
• rehabilitate
• restore
• patch
• repair
• renew
• mend
• doctor
• rejuvenate

2

as in to paralyze

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move

disabled the controls for unauthorized users

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paralyze
• cripple
• undermine
• incapacitate
• weaken
• immobilize
• hamstring
• attenuate
• undercut
• debilitate
• mutilate
• maim
• prostrate
• sap
• hobble
• enfeeble
• tire
• knock out
• lame
• enervate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• energize
• strengthen
• invigorate
• galvanize
• vitalize
• empower
• fortify
• restore
• refresh
• revive
• regenerate
• revitalize
• rejuvenate
• freshen
• refreshen

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disable distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disable are cripple, debilitate, enfeeble, sap, undermine, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might cripple be a better fit than disable?

While the synonyms cripple and disable are close in meaning, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

When is debilitate a more appropriate choice than disable?

The meanings of debilitate and disable largely overlap; however, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could enfeeble be used to replace disable?

Although the words enfeeble and disable have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of disable?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health

drugs had sapped his ability to think

When is it sensible to use weaken instead of disable?

While in some cases nearly identical to disable, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disable

In both audible and silent mode, my watch and phone immediately vibrated, with the phone continuing to make audible beeps until the alarm was disabled. —ArsTechnica, 6 May 2025

For the past 14 years, Palafox has served as private conservator to her son, deemed gravely disabled by schizophrenia that took hold in his early 20s. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 5 May 2025

After visiting the crime scene in person to share his findings, Mr. Coronado said, comments on his post were disabled within minutes. —Ulysses Ortega, New York Times, 3 May 2025

As a kid, you’re told not to look or stare if someone is disabled, but something that is different from the norm is inherently compelling. —Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 29 Apr. 2025