LAME Synonyms: 322 Similar and Opposite Words

lame 1 of 2

adjective

ˈlām

Definition of lame

as in pitiful

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust that's a pretty lame way to treat someone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard the amenities at this hotel are lame; there's not even free Wi-Fi in the room

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lame

2 of 2

verb

as in to cripple

to cause severe or permanent injury to we were afraid that the horse would be lamed by its horrible fall

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lame

Adjective

But between now, November and the lame-duck period, there’s still time to pass legislation before election results shake things up. — Washington Post Opinions, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026 She and MacDonald, a Shelby Township resident who worked for High Vibe from April-June 2024, said the horses were often lame or suffering from saddle and girth sores and still would be forced to provide trail rides for up to six hours per day. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2026 In that time seven states seceded from the Union, while lame-duck Pres. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026 The jokes are still wildly scattershot and frequently, knowingly lame; the production is still cheap and cheerfully scrappy; the whole ragged enterprise is still reliant on the evident affection and chemistry between its players to hold it together. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lame

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lame

Adjective

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Verb

The administration did cripple Iran's nuclear program in 2025 with bombing strikes on various facilities, but since this war began, there's been no effective action taken against its nuclear program.

— Dana Taylor, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Shortages of Patriot air defenses leave Ukraine vulnerable as Russia repeatedly builds missile stockpiles, targets energy and private businesses, and seeks to cripple the economy ahead of winter.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cripple

Adjective

This is similar to what cruise lines do when moving ships between itineraries, often offering trips at a cheaper cost than traditional voyages.

— Elliott Harrell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Sep. 2026
Because they must be built out, rather than up, hyperscalers typically go to suburban or rural areas with relatively cheap land.

— Greta Reich, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of poor

Verb

The video shows the Taser not incapacitating her and the woman walking quickly toward the officers while waving the knives in front of her.

— ABC News, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026
First, the knife had to be able penetrate deep into its target, even through heavy winter clothing, to deliver a blow that would quickly incapacitate.

— David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of incapacitate

Adjective

This tension is often subtext enough, and it’s accentuated by cinematographer Adric Watson’s tight and dirty frames, which confine Maya and Arti through astute visual composition, as the reality of their cushy lives is gradually illuminated.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Traction pods along the sneaker’s outsole make the shoe grippy on wet ground and durable enough to handle dirty trails and some rocky terrain.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2026