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 Carter, 34, died not long after, drowning in his bathtub at home in November 2022 after a mix of drugs left him incapacitated. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 One of the most disruptive occurrences that could occur is the spread of a novel respiratory infection that is easily transmissible and that kills or incapacitates more than one percent of its victims. Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The 25th Amendment stipulates the presidential order of succession if a commander in chief is unable to fulfill their duties, dies, resigns or becomes incapacitated. Emma Colton, Fox News, 13 Feb. 2024 Around 10 years ago, criminals in Colombia started using it to target tourists, Dr. Castaño said, often mixing it with benzodiazepines, depressants that typically treat insomnia and anxiety, to further incapacitate victims. Genevieve Glatsky, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2024 As Level-2, semi-autonomous capabilities emerge in medium- and even lower-priced automobiles, these features also allow cars and SUVs to take control of the vehicle should the vehicle determine that the driver has become inattentive or incapacitated. Jim Resnick, Ars Technica, 20 Jan. 2024 With Trump's legal proceedings as well as both candidates' ages, what would happen in a hypothetical situation where either nominee has to drop out of the race because they become incapacitated, convicted of charges or end up in jail? USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 The Angelos family’s intent to sell the team became public as the family struggled over control of the Orioles after Peter Angelos became incapacitated. Matt Weyrich, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2024 Its electronic systems are still largely incapacitated. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'incapacitate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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