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

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 disable Can the city’s notorious bin-destroying trucks disable them? Inga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 June 2025 Promising an apocalypse by the ayatollahs who were getting ever closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon to carry out that diabolical wish, Israel had every right to hit Iran to disable its uranium enrichment facilities and its ballistic missile infrastructure. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 June 2025 Gene is married, but his wife is disabled, and their relationship has deteriorated. Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 11 June 2025 Third, an interceptor missile must be able to follow the threat and get close enough to it to disable or destroy it. Iain Boyd, Space.com, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for disable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disable
Verb
  • About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.
    Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.
    Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • In this article: The News The View From Europe The View From The Middle East The View From China The View From Russia The News Global leaders urged restraint Friday after Israel launched a major string of strikes on Iran aimed at paralyzing the country’s nuclear and military might.
    Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 13 June 2025
  • Trump Opens $5 Million Gold Card Visa Waitlist—What To Know Air India Plane With 242 Onboard Crashes Shortly After Takeoff In Western India This paradox has paralyzed innovation in privacy-sensitive sectors.
    Sean Lee, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Verb
  • Most states require adults to appoint someone to make medical decisions, including authorizing treatment, if they become incapacitated.
    Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 15 June 2025
  • Using a drone, state police were able to determine that both suspects were incapacitated, having suffered apparent gunshot injuries, Fusaro said.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • History suggests the move may prove counterproductive, undermining concrete American interests in the name of rushing into a speculative new extractive frontier.
    Time, Time, 17 June 2025
  • These weaknesses undermine its attractive valuation metrics and strong recent growth.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • The plane broke apart, killing all six people onboard and injuring eight people on the ground.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
  • The conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday, with Iran launching a strike that hit a major hospital in Israel, injuring at least 240 people and causing extensive damage.
    Sonam Sheth, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • But in an unexpected ruling in 2023, the Supreme Court declined an invitation to weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
    June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025
  • Abandoning recognition can erode motivation, diminish engagement and make employees feel invisible, weakening the cultural fabric and undermining long-term resilience.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disable. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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