1
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
2
as in to cripple
to cause severe or permanent injury to
the stroke left her completely incapacitated
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incapacitate
As the most unlikely scenario becomes a reality, the Walloon minister-president is incapacitated, and his daughter must sign documents in his name.
—
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 19 May 2026
Campbell’s defense attorney Andrew Courossi claimed that all the encounters were consensual, saying that just because the women were intoxicated doesn’t mean they were incapacitated.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
Tabitha grabs one of the weird, spooky totem things and drives it through the chest of the scarecrow monster attacking Donna, killing it – or at least incapacitating it – and the scarecrows retreat.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The detonation of a nuclear weapon in low-Earth orbit would likely destroy or incapacitate thousands of satellites, disabling critical military and civilian networks providing surveillance and communication services.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 19 May 2026
Campbell’s defense attorney Andrew Courossi claimed that all the encounters were consensual, saying that just because the women were intoxicated doesn’t mean they were incapacitated.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
Tabitha grabs one of the weird, spooky totem things and drives it through the chest of the scarecrow monster attacking Donna, killing it – or at least incapacitating it – and the scarecrows retreat.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
The detonation of a nuclear weapon in low-Earth orbit would likely destroy or incapacitate thousands of satellites, disabling critical military and civilian networks providing surveillance and communication services.
—Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate
Verb
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Barricades erected on key roads have effectively isolated the city of La Paz, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals — causing at least seven deaths for lack of medical attention, the government says.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
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Barricades erected on key roads have essentially isolated the city of La Paz, Bolivia’s seat of government, triggering fuel and food shortages, paralyzing transportation and preventing patients from reaching hospitals.—
Paola Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The fall broke both his legs, crippling him.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
14 June 2026
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Candidates whose public image depends on favorable coverage can be crippled by bad headlines.—
Matthew Shelter,
New York Daily News,
13 June 2026
Verb
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The alleged threat is portrayed as undermining First Amendment protections for freedom of association, which concerns the ability of groups to engage in expression and group activities without government interference.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 June 2026
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So, Sacramento needs to undermine the demagogic manufacturers by stepping up vote counting while keeping elections virtually fraud-free.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Police did not reveal the identities of the six on board or the condition of those injured.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Two teachers were injured after an assault involving a student during dismissal at a Harford County elementary school on Tuesday.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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The attack only maims Aegon, who is left bedridden and unable to walk on his own.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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The teenager was arrested for 12 counts of willful/malicious kill/maim/torture animal -- horse and three counts of felony malicious destruction of private property over $5,000, authorities said.—
Emily Shapiro,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
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In this conflict, almost 4,000 people in Lebanon have been killed — a higher death toll than Iran’s — including 746 women, children and health workers; and more than triple that wounded.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
22 June 2026
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The International Committee of the Red Cross said 2025 was the worst year for civilians in a decade, with more than 900 people killed or wounded by explosive devices.—
Ines Capdevila,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Verb
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As one deputy went to disable a camera near the door to O'Brien's unit, deputies heard a loud bang and saw debris go flying as O'Brien allegedly attempted to shoot them through the door.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
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Good luck—these tiny, torturous bugs seem to be hard to dispose of, but there is a way to lure them in and disable them.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
Verb
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Los Angeles police Friday released bodycam footage of an officer killing a woman’s pet dog in a case that has sparked outrage and questions.—
Richard Winton,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
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The Israeli strikes killed five people around the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon, according to the official news agency NNA, and the army said a soldier was along the victims.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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