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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Hernandez was lucky to survive the shooting, but suffered permanent brain damage and is partially paralyzed as a result.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
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For months, Mexican authorities have fortified security in an effort to offset concerns, following several days of violence that paralyzed World Cup host city Guadalajara in February.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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However, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller — who lost the recent Republican primary to a candidate backed by Abbott — said the federal response will take too long and risks crippling the cattle industry.—
Jeffrey Collins,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
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The protest largely crippled the country’s center, with highways closed and public transportation halted by the massive crowds in both Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv metro area.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Court records show Sorsby wagered at least $90,000, including bets on Indiana football, as the NCAA warns the ruling could destabilize college sports and undermine competitive integrity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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But that kind of moderation bottleneck undermined the Polymath vision.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
8 June 2026
Verb
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The fatal bear encounter at Glacier National Park occurred in the same week that two hikers were injured in a bear attack at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, according to the park service.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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The boy who was injured was treated at a hospital and released the same day, authorities said.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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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
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Daredevil isn’t afraid to maim people.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Authorities said at least 12 people were wounded, including two victims who remain in critical condition.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
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At least 10 others were wounded, the humanitarian aid group said.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Blessing later ran into a wall, disabling the vehicle.—
Seamus Bozeman
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
-
To access our site, disable your adblocker.—
Jesse Kirsch,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
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The conflict began on June 13, 2025, when Israel targeted the heart of Iran’s nuclear program and its missile capabilities — an unprecedented attack that also killed several of Iran’s most powerful figures.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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The remaining seven were killed in action during operations against Iran.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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