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
Linda is prepared to take matters into her own hands when Nicky orchestrates a drone attack to incapacitate her, after which Charity pushes Linda off the cliff to her death.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025
In just one second, the United States is completely incapacitated, thousands are killed, and millions are stranded.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
Under the decision, the new vice president, coming from the PLO’s 16-member executive committee, would succeed Abbas in a caretaker capacity if the president dies or becomes incapacitated.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
During our layover, a worker at the dockyard had told me of the attacks and the threat of starvation incapacitating the capital.
—EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025
In just one second, the United States is completely incapacitated, thousands are killed, and millions are stranded.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
Under the decision, the new vice president, coming from the PLO’s 16-member executive committee, would succeed Abbas in a caretaker capacity if the president dies or becomes incapacitated.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
During our layover, a worker at the dockyard had told me of the attacks and the threat of starvation incapacitating the capital.
—EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate
Verb
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Moving Forward With Strategic Confidence Economic uncertainty should not paralyze your business's strategy.—
David Zybin,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
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Horn was left partially paralyzed by the tiger attack and, after a brief comeback in 2010, the pair retired from show business.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
12 May 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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The current United squad may lack attributes needed for Amorim’s preferred tactical system to thrive, but yesterday exhibited a lack of mental focus that undermined every major action.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Since returning to office, Trump has directed his administration to act aggressively against foreign nationals who the Administration has alleged are undermining American interests, particularly in the context of criticism of Israel and campus protests against the war in Gaza.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 May 2025
Verb
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According to the Associated Press, no one was injured during the incident, citing court documents.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
14 May 2025
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Two people were injured and a dozen apartments left uninhabitable following an early morning fire Wednesday at a three-story apartment building, the second residential fire in Elgin in less than a week.—
Courier-News,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
Verb
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More than 600 species of venomous snakes roam the earth, biting as many as 2.7 million people, killing about 120,000 people and maiming 400,000 others — numbers thought to be vast underestimates.—
Apoorva Mandavilli,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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However, Reiner thought Sheldon should be merely badly injured, not permanently maimed.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But both wound up attending St. Augustine Catholic Seminary boarding school in Michigan, studying at Villanova University in Philadelphia and earning divinity degrees together at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
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After leaving the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals wound their way through the labyrinth of Vatican halls, and Pope Leo XIV was on the balcony.—
Elizabeth Dias,
New York Times,
10 May 2025
Verb
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In the case of an outage that disables mobile networks, Uplink routers—often backed by batteries or operating on local mesh—can keep neighborhoods connected.—
Sandy Carter,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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Users can also disable remote administration and reboot their routers to cut off this primary access point.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 May 2025
Verb
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After a preliminary investigation, authorities determined the father fatally stabbed his sons and wife before killing himself.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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Navigating Pricing Complexity Pricing complexity can kill B2B growth.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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