Synonym Chooser

How is the word disable distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of disable are cripple, debilitate, enfeeble, sap, undermine, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might cripple be a better fit than disable?

While the synonyms cripple and disable are close in meaning, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

When is debilitate a more appropriate choice than disable?

The meanings of debilitate and disable largely overlap; however, debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could enfeeble be used to replace disable?

Although the words enfeeble and disable have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of disable?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health
drugs had sapped his ability to think

When is it sensible to use weaken instead of disable?

While in some cases nearly identical to disable, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of disable The organization has also suspended work to treat and prevent blinding and disabling diseases in six countries in West Africa. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 21 Mar. 2025 Tesla models had an older model automotive radar but it was removed, and use of it disabled in earlier cars. Brad Templeton, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 This marks the fifth such system disabled by the USF units in the past month. Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025 Witnesses told Fort Worth police that an initial accident disabled two cars, and then there was a second crash when an oncoming vehicle hit one of the disabled cars. Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for disable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disable
Verb
  • About six weeks ago, hackers crippled the computer systems of the TV and mobile phone provider Dish Network.
    Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2023
  • Oakland Mills Coach: Chris Brewington Last season: Class 2A state champion Outlook: Losing the talent Oakland Mills did from last year’s outdoor season would cripple most programs, but the Scorpions have reloaded.
    Anthony Maluso, Baltimore Sun, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
  • Soon, failure to hit your daily goals will sound much worse than any of the noise that used to paralyze you.
    Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The vote has thrown the House into disarray and paralyzed the chamber, leaving Johnson to find a way to break the impasse.
    Lauren Peller, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Unlike snakes that rely on camouflage and venom yield to incapacitate prey, the black mamba’s strategy is shock-and-awe defense.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • If she was incapacitated by a crash, her car could’ve veered into the river.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.
    John S. Tobey, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.
    Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • At least 31 people were killed, 27 others were injured and some 70 homes were burned before security forces arrived and repelled the gangs, killing at least 23 gunmen, the mission said.
    DÁNICA COTO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Two officers were also taken to the hospital but were not injured, sources said.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • One way that could happen would be for foreign countries to weaken their currency to make the same product cheaper in dollars for tariff purposes, without raising the end cost to the consumer.
    Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.
    Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disable. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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