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.
Linda is prepared to take matters into her own hands when Nicky orchestrates a drone attack to incapacitate her, after which Charity pushes Linda off the cliff to her death. Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 May 2025 In just one second, the United States is completely incapacitated, thousands are killed, and millions are stranded. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025 Under the decision, the new vice president, coming from the PLO’s 16-member executive committee, would succeed Abbas in a caretaker capacity if the president dies or becomes incapacitated. Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025 During our layover, a worker at the dockyard had told me of the attacks and the threat of starvation incapacitating the capital. EW.com, 25 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incapacitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incapacitate. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!