cripple

2 synonyms and 1 antonym for cripple, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — An outdated and now offensive term for a person with a serious physical disability.

Synonyms

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

lame

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

stultify

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

An outdated and now offensive term for a person with a serious physical disability.

“Older texts sometimes used the word "cripple," a term now considered offensive.”

lame stultify

2. verb

To severely damage or disable something, physically or otherwise.

“The strike crippled the country's transport network for a week.”

lame stultify

Opposites

strengthen

How to use cripple

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

cripple the economy crippled by debt

Etymology

From Old English crypel, related to "creep," originally describing someone who had to crawl rather than walk.

Full origin of cripple →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cripple” mean?

The word “cripple” means an outdated and now offensive term for a person with a serious physical disability. In plain terms, as a verb, to badly damage or disable something; as a noun, an outdated and offensive word for a disabled person.

How do you pronounce “cripple”?

“Cripple” is pronounced KRIHPL (/ˈkɹɪp(ə)l/ in IPA).

How do you use “cripple” in a sentence?

Here is “cripple” used in a sentence: “Older texts sometimes used the word "cripple," a term now considered offensive.”

What part of speech is “cripple”?

Depending on how it is used, “cripple” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cripple” come from?

The word “cripple” comes from Old English. From Old English crypel, related to "creep," originally describing someone who had to crawl rather than walk.

Is “cripple” a common word?

“Cripple” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “cripple” have?

“Cripple” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an outdated and now offensive term for a person with a serious physical disability.

Related words

disability disfigurement lame paralysis

People also searched

strengthen lame stultify

Nearby words

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