incapacitate
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for incapacitate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To make someone or something unable to function normally.
Synonyms
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 incapacitate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
incapacitate an attacker
temporarily incapacitated
Etymology
From incapacity plus the verb-forming suffix -ate, from the mid-1600s; compare French incapaciter.
Full origin of incapacitate →Frequently asked questions
What does “incapacitate” mean?
The word “incapacitate” means to make someone or something unable to function normally. In plain terms, to disable someone, either physically or in terms of their legal ability to act.
How do you pronounce “incapacitate”?
“Incapacitate” is pronounced ihn-kuh-PA-sih-tayt (/ˌɪn.kəˈpæ.sɪ.teɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “incapacitate” in a sentence?
Here is “incapacitate” used in a sentence: “The injury incapacitated him for several weeks.”
What is another word for “incapacitate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “incapacitate” include disable.
What part of speech is “incapacitate”?
“Incapacitate” is a verb.
Where does the word “incapacitate” come from?
The word “incapacitate” dates back to around 1600 and comes from French. From incapacity plus the verb-forming suffix -ate, from the mid-1600s; compare French incapaciter.
How many meanings does “incapacitate” have?
“Incapacitate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make someone or something unable to function normally.
