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Incapacitated: meaning, definitions and examples

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incapacitated

 

[ ɪn.kəˈpæ.sɪ.teɪ.tɪd ]

Adjective / Verb
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?

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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Considered an outdated and potentially offensive term when referring to people.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?

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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.

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

Etymology

The word 'incapacitated' originated from the Latin word 'incapacitare', which means 'to disable' or 'make incapable'. The term has been used in legal contexts to refer to someone who is unable to make decisions for themselves due to a physical or mental condition. Over time, it has also come to be used more broadly to describe anyone who is deprived of strength or power.

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.