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
Friday’s earthquake has incapacitated the nation’s essential services and made critical stretches of its roads impassable.
—
Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
Surveillance footage from inside the post office shows the victim, clearly incapacitated, being supported by colleagues Kirt Alcala, 38, Edward Chou, 40, and Daniel Jean, 38.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
At least two were incapacitated and unable to react at the start of the 4 a.m. home invasion stabbings, according to court documents.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2025
This blitzkrieg-style defense is often enough to scare off even large predators, as a single envenomation can incapacitate within minutes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2025
Surveillance footage from inside the post office shows the victim, clearly incapacitated, being supported by colleagues Kirt Alcala, 38, Edward Chou, 40, and Daniel Jean, 38.
—Elizabeth Keogh, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025
At least two were incapacitated and unable to react at the start of the 4 a.m. home invasion stabbings, according to court documents.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 25 Mar. 2025
This blitzkrieg-style defense is often enough to scare off even large predators, as a single envenomation can incapacitate within minutes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incapacitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate
Verb
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The damage was fractures to both hands, his right arm, left and right leg and some broken ribs, but the multiple injuries to his spinal cord were the most devastating of all, paralyzing his legs.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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However, so much has happened since 2020 — the year that a pandemic paralyzed the country — that Idahoans could be forgiven if their memories of the event are a little hazy.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.—
Shira Ovide,
Washington Post,
4 Apr. 2023
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Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.—
Anthony Maluso,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Mar. 2023
Verb
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The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
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Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In Arkansas, officials reported that three people died and 29 others were injured following overnight storms.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2025
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At least 59 people have died and more than 100 others were injured in a fire at a nightclub.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Higher speeds are more likely to kill or maim people, especially in crashes that involve pedestrians or cyclists.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
13 Mar. 2025
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Even after Punk hit the GTS, Punk refused to cover Rollins since this match was about maiming one another.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Sheriff McDowell, who's on the ground wounded, sees Banner kill Clyde.—
Matt Cabral,
EW.com,
6 Apr. 2025
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On April 2, Russian forces launched multiple strikes on residential areas in the front line city of Pokrovsk, killing one civilian and wounding six others.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The screen supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, but that's disabled by default.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
10 Apr. 2025
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For example, a condition known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome that is linked with severe alcohol use can be permanently disabling, with long-term memory loss.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Rick kills one of the security men, as Chelsea is shot in the chest.—
Colleen Kratofil,
People.com,
7 Apr. 2025
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Then in the third period, once again killing a penalty with the Canadiens clinging to a 2-1 lead, and just after Sam Montembeault made a series of saves on Sean Couturier to maintain that lead, Suzuki added to it with the winning goal.—
Arpon Basu,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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