disable
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for disable, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To take away someone's ability to do something, especially by injuring them.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use disable
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
disable a feature
disable an account
permanently disabled
Etymology
From dis- ("not, opposite of") plus able, tracing back through Old French to Latin habilis, "manageable."
Full origin of disable →Frequently asked questions
What does “disable” mean?
The word “disable” means to take away someone's ability to do something, especially by injuring them. In plain terms, to make something or someone unable to function, whether that's a body, a machine, or a feature.
How do you pronounce “disable”?
“Disable” is pronounced dihs-AY-buhl (/dɪsˈeɪbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “disable” in a sentence?
Here is “disable” used in a sentence: “The stroke disabled him on one side of his body.”
What is another word for “disable”?
Words with a similar meaning to “disable” include unable, deactivate, disenable, cripple and incapacitate.
What is the opposite of “disable”?
The opposite of “disable” — its antonyms — are enable, capacitate and re-enable.
What part of speech is “disable”?
“Disable” is a verb.
Where does the word “disable” come from?
The word “disable” comes from Latin. From dis- ("not, opposite of") plus able, tracing back through Old French to Latin habilis, "manageable.".
Is “disable” a common word?
“Disable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
