INCAPACITATE Synonyms: 104 Similar and Opposite Words

incapacitate

verb

ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt

Definition of incapacitate

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

as in to cripple

to cause severe or permanent injury to the stroke left her completely incapacitated

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 incapacitate In 2023, Kim was legally declared incapacitated after her cardiac arrest resulted in a brain injury affecting her motor skills, language and memory. — Jessica Golden,alex Sherman, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026 She has been incapacitated after a car accident but has left copious notes for the next book in a series. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 Reeger became a hero after taking out several Klingon cruisers at the Battle of Zeta Reticuli, but he was actually incapacitated at the time and took the credit for George's heroic actions, stalling Kirk Sr's career in the process. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 Sep. 2026 Prosecutors offered evidence Millete asked for hexes that would injure or incapacitate his wife, NBC San Diego reported. — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incapacitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for incapacitate

Verb

Block that passage, the thinking went, and China’s economy would be crippled.

— Andy Browne, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
In the days after the ceasefire broke down, the Houthis announced a blockade on Saudi shipping, and launched attacks crippling Saudi Arabia’s oil export infrastructure.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of cripple

Verb

Not only does Jeong-yo have an emotional connection to his music performance that Pi-o struggles to find himself, but Pi-o has injured his pinky in the leadup to the final performance, thanks to his obsessive practicing.

— Kayti Burt, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Someone else got stabbed, and two other people were allegedly injured.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of injure

Verb

Fox News Digital asked Martin whether that level of support undermined Ireland's neutrality.

— Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Brazil’s attorney general last week accused the US of undermining Brazilian democracy — a central theme for incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who holds a razor-thin polling lead over Flávio Bolsonaro.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of undermine

Verb

Through its stance, the NHL bears a share of responsibility for the people killed and maimed in Russia’s war in Ukraine.

— Dominik Hasek, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026
That’s how this season starts, and Reacher’s methods of maiming and/or killing only get more elaborate.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of maim

Verb

The governor of the Kaluga region, Vladislav Shapsha, said Friday that nine people had been wounded by drone attacks on the region.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026
Suffice it to say the mystery bullets that landed in Rate Field’s bleachers in 2023 and wounded two women definitely aren’t relevant to this feel-good story but are worth mentioning to remind us how much the Sox narrative has changed.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of wound

Verb

The Defense Ministry said late Sunday that recent strikes on refineries in cities, including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran, had disabled 51% of Russia's oil refining capacity.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
The Defense Ministry said late Sunday that recent strikes on refineries in cities, including Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ust-Luga, Perm, Saratov and Syzran, had disabled 51% of Russia’s oil refining capacity.

— Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of disable

Verb

On the politics, his statement summons a legacy-killing disaster by wagering that nothing will go wrong, when something likely will go wrong during his presidency.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Mothers Against Drunk Driving, or MADD, was founded in 1980 by a mother whose 13-year-old daughter was killed by an intoxicated driver.

— Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of kill

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incapably

incapacitate

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“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incapacitate. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of incapacitate

verb

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