incapacitate

verb

in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce incapacitate (audio)
incapacitated; incapacitating

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of capacity or natural power : disable
2
: to make legally incapable or ineligible
incapacitation noun

Examples of incapacitate in a Sentence

The class teaches you how to incapacitate an attacker. The stroke left her completely incapacitated. He was incapacitated by the pain. a computer system incapacitated by software problems
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The explosions killed 37 people — including two children — created widespread fear and incapacitated thousands of Hezbollah’s rank-and-file members, officials and administrators. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2024 The International Civil Aviation Organization has, for its part, considered the possibility of more frequent lightning causing disruption to flight schedules, damaging aircraft, or incapacitating radar towers. Chris Baraniuk, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2024 With Smith incapacitated, Affrunti says Reeves hid in the living room. Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024 In 1980, most voters cast ballots in person with six exceptions for people who were incapacitated or absent on Election Day. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 31 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for incapacitate 

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of incapacitate was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near incapacitate

Cite this Entry

“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacitate. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

incapacitate

verb
in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpas-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce incapacitate (audio)
incapacitated; incapacitating
: to make incapable : disable
incapacitation noun

Legal Definition

incapacitate

transitive verb
in·​ca·​pac·​i·​tate ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt How to pronounce incapacitate (audio)
incapacitated; incapacitating
1
: to make legally incapable or ineligible
mental illness alone will not incapacitate a person from making a valid contractLandmark Med. Ctr. v. Gauthier, 635 A.2d 1145 (1994)
2
: to deprive of capacity or natural power
an injury that incapacitates the employee
incapacitation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on incapacitate

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