1
as in paralyzes
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 cripples
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 incapacitates
Lorenzo confronts and incapacitates Pepe, Sonia’s main ally, before facing Sonia herself.
—
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitates
Verb
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This paralyzes executives and creates fatigue.—
Nick Ryan,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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The smaller wasp quickly stings the spider, injecting its powerful venom that does not kill but permanently paralyzes it.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Second, this ambiguity around responsibility cripples an organization’s ability to respond effectively.—
Nelson Lim,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Drones allow aggressors to target critical infrastructure that cripples a defender’s economy at low cost and with high accuracy.—
Omar Al-Ubaydli,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Both liberals and conservatives now reshape government through executive power and Supreme Court rulings instead of formal amendments, which undermines democratic participation.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, another kind of natural fatty acid undermines these cells and may diminish the body's ability to stave off tumor growth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After Wednesday disables the machine with an axe, Isaac’s ability no longer works, and Thing attacks him.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
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To be specific, this mode disables custom actions, changes backlighting to a single color, and prevents profile switching.—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Derek gravely injures his hand.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Oct. 2025
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Gafford injures ankle The Mavericks are likely to be without one of their major frontcourt pieces this preseason.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even with all of them in place, Shirley misses the masked attacker sneaking his way up to the apartment door, and Lamb’s attempt to blind him with bleach creates a chaotic struggle that wounds the assailant without containing him.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
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Set against Mumbai’s relentless pulse, their delicate connection faces tests as personal histories, desires, and wounds resurface.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitates. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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