incapacitate

[in-kuh-pas-i-teyt]

verb (used with object)

incapacitated, incapacitating 

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

Other Word Forms

• incapacitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incapacitate¹

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

Example Sentences

Where the bottom falls out is the last-minute decision for Rain to pull a Jonesy, just like Ripley, and go back for Andy after he’s incapacitated and reverted to his childlike personality.

From Salon

This was "designed to alert others if the officer of the watch doesn't respond to something, such as another vessel approaching", or to a person "falling asleep or becoming incapacitated".

From BBC

Police 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 mental health calls.

From Los Angeles Times

Responding to the violence in the wake of the 7 July demonstrations, President William Ruto ordered police to shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs, ensuring they were incapacitated but not killed.

From BBC

The job of his cabinet appointees is to incapacitate the agencies they supervise.

From Salon

Related Words

• cripple 
• disable 
• immobilize 
• maim 
• paralyze