Synonyms of disable

disable

verb

dis-ˈā-bəl 

1

as in to cripple

to cause severe or permanent injury to

a promising athlete who was severely disabled in a plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cripple
• incapacitate
• injure
• kill
• mutilate
• wound
• maim
• damage
• scar
• hurt
• lame
• bruise
• paralyze
• hit
• impair
• disfigure
• hobble
• beat
• dismember
• mangle
• harm
• rough (up)
• lacerate
• maul
• wing
• hamstring
• lick
• batter
• pummel
• smash
• box
• punch
• slap
• spank
• paste
• whack
• bludgeon
• swipe
• torture
• murder
• belt
• smack
• gore
• bash
• whip
• bung up
• hammer
• swat
• thump
• bang
• break
• lambaste
• lash
• flog
• thrash
• pelt
• pound
• lambast
• torment
• buffet
• sock
• lace
• kneecap
• drub
• thwack
• wallop
• pommel

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cure
• heal
• remedy
• fix
• rehabilitate
• restore
• patch
• repair
• renew
• mend
• doctor
• rejuvenate

2

as in to paralyze

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move

disabled the controls for unauthorized users

Synonyms & Similar Words

• paralyze
• cripple
• undermine
• incapacitate
• weaken
• immobilize
• hamstring
• attenuate
• undercut
• debilitate
• mutilate
• maim
• prostrate
• sap
• hobble
• enfeeble
• tire
• knock out
• lame
• enervate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• energize
• strengthen
• invigorate
• galvanize
• vitalize
• empower
• fortify
• restore
• refresh
• revive
• regenerate
• revitalize
• rejuvenate
• freshen
• refreshen

Synonym Chooser

How is the word disable distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disable are cripple, debilitate, enfeeble, sap, undermine, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might cripple be a better fit than disable?

While the synonyms cripple and disable are close in meaning, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

When is debilitate a more appropriate choice than disable?

The meanings of debilitate and disable largely overlap; however, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could enfeeble be used to replace disable?

Although the words enfeeble and disable have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of disable?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health

drugs had sapped his ability to think

When is it sensible to use weaken instead of disable?

While in some cases nearly identical to disable, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of disable

Today, people view Covid-19 as an inconvenience of the past, rather than the biggest mass disabling event of our lifetime that continues to affect millions of people. —Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2025

According to the European Space Agency, collisions with debris larger than 1 cm would disable a spacecraft, and collisions with millimeter-size debris could still cause local damage. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025

Senate Bill 1 also offers relief to those 65 years old and older and those who are disabled. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025

At the Smithy, an issue may occur where tutorials are repeatedly shown, disabling certain options in the menu. —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025