disable

[ dis-ey-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·a·bled, dis·a·bling.

1. to make unable or unfit; weaken or destroy the capability of; incapacitate:

   The detective successfully disabled the bomb.

   Synonyms: paralyze, enfeeble

2. to impair or injure (a person or animal) physically or mentally:

   The accident disabled him for life.

3. to make legally incapable; disqualify:

   Minors are legally disabled from entering into a contract.

4. Digital Technology. to make (a device, system, or feature) unable to function; turn off:

   Some of the car’s advanced safety features can be disabled.

disable

/ dɪsˈeɪbəl /

verb

1. to make ineffective, unfit, or incapable, as by crippling
2. to make or pronounce legally incapable
3. to switch off (an electronic device)

Derived Forms

• disˈablement, noun

Other Words From

• dis·able·ment noun
• dis·abler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of disable¹

First recorded in 1475–85; dis- ¹ + able

Example Sentences

"If we identify such activity, or it is reported to us, we remove the content, disable the account, take steps to prevent the offender from creating additional accounts, and report them to the authorities," they added.

From BBC

The crew dressed up in various worker outfits, scouted locations ahead of the robberies, forced their way into an adjoining business to a bank and used signal jammers to disable wireless security devices.

From Los Angeles Times

The new reporting provides possible context for some of Musk’s eyebrow-raising interventions in Ukraine, from his pro-Russia peace plan to his decision to shut off Starlink satellite internet service above Crimea, thwarting Ukrainian efforts to take back the illegally annexed peninsula and disable Russian military assets stationed there.

From Salon

“RFK Jr. wants to get rid of toxins and claims he is going to get rid of capture at the FDA, but how do you do this while you are also dismantling the regulatory state and appointing judges that disable regulators from regulating? … What is the magic device by which we’re going to get polluters to stop polluting?”

From Salon

Samsung has denied the allegations and said users can disable Auto Blocker if they choose.

From BBC

Related Words

• exhaust
• immobilize
• knock out
• ruin
• shatter
• undermine
• wreck