verb
incapacitate
ihn-kuh-PA-sih-tayt
Incapacitate (verb) means to make someone or something unable to function normally. Example: “The injury incapacitated him for several weeks.”
verb
1
To make someone or something unable to function normally.
"The injury incapacitated him for several weeks."
2
To make someone officially unfit or ineligible for a role.
"A criminal conviction can incapacitate a person from holding public office."
How to use incapacitate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo disable someone, either physically or in terms of their legal ability to act.
Common pairings
incapacitate an attacker
temporarily incapacitated
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- incapacitates
- Past tense
- incapacitated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The injury _____ him for several weeks.
Etymology
From incapacity plus the verb-forming suffix -ate, from the mid-1600s; compare French incapaciter.
Class of 1600
incapacitate joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Related words
Rhymes for incapacitate
See all rhymes for 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.
