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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of incapacitate
The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who becomes stranded on Mars after a dust storm incapacitates him.
—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
When the woman arrived, Aranda allegedly used a Taser to incapacitate her and physically attacked her, authorities said.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
28 May 2026
When the woman arrived, Aranda allegedly used a Taser to incapacitate her and physically attacked her, authorities said.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate
Verb
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While receiving treatment at a British base, Derek learned that he was paralyzed from the chest down.
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With endless criteria, knowing exactly what to ask for from a pair of jean shorts is paralyzing.
Verb
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Attacking and denying a nation’s assets in space can cripple the effective use of weapons on the ground.
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The move on Monday marks the most sweeping rollback of American oil sanctions against Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, reversing years of pressure designed to cripple Iran's economy, and is expected to deliver billions in oil revenue for the Iranian regime.
Verb
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Kirk had disappeared from their feeds, and Erika Kirk had gone viral for the wrong reasons—taking the stage at her husband’s memorial service amid pyrotechnics and attempting her own campus tour, undermining her image as a Christian trad wife whose priorities were her family and her home.
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Over his 18-year tenure at the Fed, Greenspan embodied the omnipotent technocrat — a legacy critics say was fatally undermined by his failure to spot the 2008 housing bubble.
Verb
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An underage girl was injured and treated at a hospital.
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Sixty-six people were injured in the incident.
Verb
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The attack only maims Aegon, who is left bedridden and unable to walk on his own.
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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.
Verb
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One person was killed and another was wounded during a shooting in an unincorporated part of Riverside County on Sunday.
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These two stood ready to wound the pigs as soon as Red Beard was done saying goodbye.
Verb
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One of the increasingly concerning threats is drones, which can be piloted remotely and are difficult to disable.
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Oftentimes, disabling security protections is frowned upon.
Verb
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The mother of a man killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike in Manhattan is demanding justice for her son.
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The one-two punch wreaked massive destruction throughout the region, killing at least 235 and wounding more than 4,300.
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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