disabled
adjective
dis·abled
dis-ˈā-bəld 
diz-ˈā-
1
a
: impaired or limited by a physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition : affected by disability
Decades of government policy and a Supreme Court decision … have established that public services for all disabled people must be provided in the least restrictive and most integrated environment possible.—
Sallie Tisdale
Sallie TisdaleFor disabled travelers—or anyone nursing an injury—successful trips require planning. … Rugged or remote areas may require some give and take on your part, including physical assistance or workarounds.—Linda Burbank
Linda Burbank… 4,000 disabled athletes from 125 nations competing in 18 sports.—John Shaw
John Shaw
b
: incapacitated by illness or injury
… 17.4% of all match-ending injuries, were attributable to OT (orthopedic trauma). Two such stoppages involved multiple roundhouse kicks directed at the lateral aspect of the knee. The disabled competitors were unable to continue because of marked pain with weight bearing.—George J. Buse and Robert M. Wood
George J. Buse and Robert M. Wood2
of a device or mechanism
: rendered inoperative (as by being damaged or deliberately altered)
a disabled alarm
They would have pulled out but they were waiting on the Iraqi police to finish their report and there was the issue of the disabled fuel truck …—David Abrams
David AbramsExamples of disabled in a Sentence
The organization is working to protect the rights of disabled veterans.
the disabled man was unable to climb the stairs without help
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition to overseeing Social Security benefits for retirees and disabled people, the Social Security Administration helps administer programs run by other agencies, including Medicare and Medicaid.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Earlier this year, then-Fire Chief Kristin Crowley cited disabled engines, and a lack of mechanics, as one reason why fire officials did not dispatch more personnel to Pacific Palisades before the Jan. 7 fire.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
As state officials eye federal Medicaid funding cuts that could drastically reduce home care services for those who are disabled or have chronic health conditions, many predict that number will rise.
—Leah Fabel, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Supporters of the legislation insist the purpose of the GOP bill is to shore it up for the most vulnerable Americans -- the pregnant women, poor children and disabled people it was originally intended to cover.
—Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disabled
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Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Earlier this year, then-Fire Chief Kristin Crowley cited disabled engines, and a lack of mechanics, as one reason why fire officials did not dispatch more personnel to Pacific Palisades before the Jan. 7 fire.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
As state officials eye federal Medicaid funding cuts that could drastically reduce home care services for those who are disabled or have chronic health conditions, many predict that number will rise.
—Leah Fabel, Miami Herald, 5 June 2025
Supporters of the legislation insist the purpose of the GOP bill is to shore it up for the most vulnerable Americans -- the pregnant women, poor children and disabled people it was originally intended to cover.
—Arkansas Online, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for disabled
Cite this Entry
“Disabled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disabled. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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