INCAPACITATE Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

incapacitate

verb

ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt

Definition of incapacitate

as in to paralyze

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move the malfunctioning of a single component can incapacitate the engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to cripple

to cause severe or permanent injury to the stroke left her completely incapacitated

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 incapacitate Furthermore, the Iranians are far from disabled, disarmed and incapacitated. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 According to the complaint, Willis has been left completely incapacitated since a brief stint at Summit Malibu in early 2024, unable to move or communicate beyond occasionally opening her eyes and sometimes grunting. — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026 Videos shared on social media show one of the injured was left incapacitated on the floor, surrounded by insulation. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2026 Many department policies tell officers to move out of the way of a vehicle rather than shoot because of the potential harm to bystanders who could be struck by unintended gunfire or by a careening vehicle if the driver is incapacitated. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for incapacitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate

Verb

In March, a cyberattack briefly paralyzed municipal systems and prompted an emergency declaration in Foster City, a Bay Area suburb of 32,000 people.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Responsible deployment does not require paralyzing every use case.

— Stephen Messer, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

Strikes over unpaid salaries, violent attacks on clinics and public mistrust fueled by misinformation are crippling fragile response efforts, as workers like Bondele keep showing up.

— Prosper Heri Ngorora, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
Over the years this bag has crippled numerous hotel bellmen attempting to lift it.

— John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

Turning this whole thing into a joke also undermines the danger of the Trawler — just how seriously are we supposed to take this threat?

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026
Dynastic rivalries, regional rebellions, economic disruption, and the demographic effects of the Black Death all undermined imperial authority.

— Ethan Teekah, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of using North Korean ballistic missiles in its attacks, as another night of bombardment killed at least nine civilians and injured dozens of others.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Chamapuro added that one person in the community was injured, and called on authorities to send food and medicine.

— Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

He was previously charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (scissors) and assault with intent to maim, and he was convicted of arson.

— Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 24 July 2026
Even in 2026, the category’s identity is anchored in infamous scenes of maiming, torture, and cathartic bloodshed.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Definition of maim

Verb

Al-Nuzaili claimed that dozens of Houthi militants had been killed or wounded.

— Charlotte Reck, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
The office of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hezbollah violated the ceasefire by attacking Israeli soldiers inside Lebanon, seriously wounding three.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of wound

Verb

Because of safe, effective immunizations, most Americans do not remember vaccine preventable deaths and have never known anyone disabled from illnesses like smallpox, measles, rubella, whooping cough, or polio.

— Dr. Marianne Parshley, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026
American forces have also disabled 2 ships and boarded 2 to endure compliance, according to the statement on Sunday.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of disable

Verb

Last week, prosecutors attempted to use electronic materials to lay out their theory that Clancy premeditated killing her three children.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Police have said that’s exactly what Fernandez Saldana tried to do in hiring a man to shoot and kill Bridegan.

— Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of kill

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incapably

incapacitate

incapacitated

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“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of incapacitate

verb

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