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

Despite this, he refused to give up on his racing career, lobbying to allow both disabled and non-disabled drivers to race alongside each other.

From BBC

In more than two decades since the stage show launched, disabled ‘Wicked’ character Nessarose has never been played by a real-life wheelchair user.

From Los Angeles Times

The city’s mayor, Borys Filatov, wrote on Facebook that an explosion had broken windows at a rehabilitation center for disabled people.

From New York Times

The good news is there is a way to disable the gang-up tactic.

From Salon

Pregnant women, the disabled, students and a few other categories were exempt.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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