adj Uncommon

crippled

KRIH-puhld

Crippled (adj) means Badly damaged, weakened, or unable to function normally. Example: “The company was crippled by years of mismanagement.”

adj

Badly damaged, weakened, or unable to function normally.

"The company was crippled by years of mismanagement."

"His car was crippled after the crash."

How to use crippled

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSeriously damaged or unable to work properly.

Common mistake

When describing a person's physical disability, this word is now considered offensive; use neutral, respectful phrasing instead.

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Can you complete this real example?

The company was _____ by years of mismanagement.

noncrippled uncrippled

What does “crippled” mean?

The word “crippled” means badly damaged, weakened, or unable to function normally. In plain terms, seriously damaged or unable to work properly.

How do you pronounce “crippled”?

“Crippled” is pronounced KRIH-puhld (/ˈkɹɪpəld/ in IPA).

How do you use “crippled” in a sentence?

Here is “crippled” used in a sentence: “The company was crippled by years of mismanagement.”

What is the opposite of “crippled”?

The opposite of “crippled” — its antonyms — are noncrippled and uncrippled.

What part of speech is “crippled”?

“Crippled” is an adjective.

Is “crippled” a common word?

“Crippled” is an uncommon word in modern English.