incapacitate

[ in-kuh-pas-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ca·pac·i·tat·ed, in·ca·pac·i·tat·ing.

1. to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength; make incapable or unfit; disable.

   Synonyms: weaken, impair, sideline, handicap

2. Law. to deprive of the legal power to act in a specified way or ways.

incapacitate

/ ˌɪnkəˈpæsɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. to deprive of power, strength, or capacity; disable
2. to deprive of legal capacity or eligibility

Derived Forms

• ˌincaˌpaciˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• in·ca·pac·i·ta·tion [in-k, uh, -pas-i-, tey, -sh, uh, n] noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incapacitate¹

First recorded in 1650–60; incapacit(y) + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Neither of the two collisions “was hard enough to incapacitate or disable” Contreras, said sheriff’s spokesperson Gloria Huerta.

From Los Angeles Times

Department officials have said repeatedly that, despite increased crisis intervention training and new less-lethal weapons designed to incapacitate rather than kill, officers are not always equipped to handle most mental health calls.

From Los Angeles Times

Police deployed both conducted energy devices but they failed to incapacitate the boy before he was killed by a single gunshot, Blanch said.

From Seattle Times

Public health experts say substance use disorders can incapacitate a previously diligent parent and lead to the involvement of child protective services.

From New York Times

Mercurio told one informant he intended to incapacitate his father with the pipe, handcuff him and steal his guns and a car to carry out his plan, according to an FBI agent’s sworn statement in the case.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• cripple
• disable
• immobilize
• maim
• paralyze