1
as in to cripple
to cause severe or permanent injury to
a promising athlete who was severely disabled in a plane crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
disabled the controls for unauthorized users
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of disable
The result will be that media won’t automatically be saved to a user’s device gallery and chat exports will be disabled, as the screen in the app shows.
—
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Instead, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said a direct lightning strike disabled the moving vehicle.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
Deputies determined that the lightning strike disabled the car's electrical system and caused an explosion that blew apart the rear bumper and exhaust system, scattering debris across the roadway.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Employees had to turn in government property, and email accounts were disabled, according to NPR.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disable
David Phelan, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Instead, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office said a direct lightning strike disabled the moving vehicle.
—Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2025
Deputies determined that the lightning strike disabled the car's electrical system and caused an explosion that blew apart the rear bumper and exhaust system, scattering debris across the roadway.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Employees had to turn in government property, and email accounts were disabled, according to NPR.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for disable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for disable
Verb
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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
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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
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The damage was fractures to both hands, his right arm, left and right leg and some broken ribs, but the multiple injuries to his spinal cord were the most devastating of all, paralyzing his legs.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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However, so much has happened since 2020 — the year that a pandemic paralyzed the country — that Idahoans could be forgiven if their memories of the event are a little hazy.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The program, now in its 23rd year, partners with programs serving elderly and incapacitated adults across Lake County to develop a continuum of elder law advocacy and guardianship services, the release said.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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In the two years since Tommy Elliott was killed in a mass shooting, Maryanne’s grief has, in turns, left her aghast and overwhelmed, bewildered and incapacitated, grateful and wanting to die.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In Arkansas, officials reported that three people died and 29 others were injured following overnight storms.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2025
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Three people died in Independence County, Arkansas, according to the state division of emergency management and 32 people were injured across eight counties.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA TODAY,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Agreeing to a pick swap with the Lynx weakened the value of the pick that the Sky traded away.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
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One by one, the sectors defect, and, eventually, the leader may weaken and their government may fall.—
Julia Angwin,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Disable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disable. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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