Incapacitated: meaning, definitions and examples

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incapacitated

[ɪn.kəˈpæ.sɪ.teɪ.tɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

unable to act or respond

Incapacitated means being deprived of strength or power; rendered incapable of performing a function, as by a physical injury or a disease. It can also refer to someone who is incapacitated by age or illness and unable to make decisions for themselves.

Synonyms

disabled, handicapped, impaired.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incapacitated	Describes someone who is unable to function or perform normal activities, typically temporarily, due to injury, illness, or other conditions. Can also be used in legal contexts. He was incapacitated after the accident The court appointed a guardian because she was incapacitated
disabled	Used to describe someone who has a physical or mental condition that substantially limits their activities or movements. Always appropriate in formal and respectful communication. She advocates for the rights of disabled individuals The building is accessible to disabled people
impaired	Used to describe a specific limitation or reduction in function, often in relation to senses such as vision or hearing. Can also be used more broadly for other functions. She uses a guide dog because she is visually impaired He wears a hearing aid because he is hearing impaired
handicapped	Considered an outdated and potentially offensive term when referring to people. Historically used to describe individuals with disabilities, it is now generally avoided in favor of 'disabled' or other more respectful terms. He parked in a handicapped space (Note: It's better to say 'accessible parking space')

Examples of usage

She was incapacitated by a severe flu and had to stay in bed for a week.
The accident left him incapacitated and unable to work for several months.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to deprive of capacity or natural power

Incapacitated can also be used as a verb, meaning to deprive of capacity or natural power. It can refer to the act of rendering someone incapable of performing a function or taking action.

Synonyms

cripple, disable, weaken.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
incapacitated	Used to describe someone who is unable to perform normal activities due to injury or illness. Often used in formal or medical contexts. After the accident, he was incapacitated for several months The disease left her incapacitated and unable to work
disable	Commonly used in both physical and technical contexts. Refers to limiting someone's ability to perform physical activities or turning off a function or feature. The software allows you to disable certain features The accident disabled him from participating in sports
cripple	An old term for someone who has significant physical disabilities, often considered offensive or outdated. Can also mean to severely damage or weaken something. The old injury had crippled him, making it hard to walk The financial crisis crippled the company's operations
weaken	Used to describe the reduction of strength, power, or intensity. Can be used in physical, emotional, political, or economic contexts. His illness is starting to weaken him The new regulations may weaken the influence of large corporations

Examples of usage

The toxin incapacitated the prey, making it easier for the predator to catch.
The injury incapacitated him and he had to rely on others for help.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'incapacitas', which means 'lack of capacity'.
It’s formed by the prefix 'in-' meaning 'not' and 'capacitated' derived from 'capacitas', which means 'ability'.
The term has been used in English since the late 19th century.

Psychology

Incapacitance can affect cognitive functions, making it difficult to think or make decisions.
Stress and trauma can lead to a temporary state of incapacitation, where a person feels overwhelmed.
Certain mental health disorders might lead to a loss of ability to perform day-to-day activities.

Medicine

Incapacity can be a symptom of various medical conditions, such as strokes or severe injuries.
Patients who are incapacitated may require assisted care to manage basic day-to-day needs.
Assessment of incapacity is important in determining the need for power of attorney in legal matters.

Legal Terms

In many legal contexts, being incapacitated can affect an individual's ability to make decisions, sign contracts, or stand trial.
Laws surrounding incapacity vary by jurisdiction, often concerning mental and physical health.
Guardianship may be established for those deemed incapacitated, allowing others to make decisions on their behalf.

Pop Culture

In movies and books, protagonists are often depicted as incapacitated during a critical moment, heightening the drama.
There are many songs and lyrics that mention the feeling of being incapacitated emotionally due to heartbreak.
Video games frequently explore themes of incapacitation where characters need recovery or assistance to regain abilities.

Translations

Translations of the word "incapacitated" in other languages:

🇵🇹 incapacitado

🇮🇳 असमर्थ

🇩🇪 unfähig

🇮🇩 tidak mampu

🇺🇦 недієздатний

🇵🇱 niezdolny

🇯🇵 無力な

🇫🇷 incapable

🇪🇸 incapacitado

🇹🇷 aciz

🇰🇷 무력한

🇸🇦 غير قادر على

🇨🇿 neschopný

🇸🇰 neschopný

🇨🇳 不能

🇸🇮 nesposoben

🇮🇸 óhæfur

🇰🇿 қабілетсіз

🇬🇪 უუნარო

🇦🇿 qabiliyyətsiz

🇲🇽 incapacitado

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,248, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15245 onerous
15246 indiscriminately
15247 transpired
15248 incapacitated
15249 cession
15250 butler
15251 gliding
...