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 More than 1,000 people have signed an online petition started by Kelsey Auman last month, one of the first of its kind, that calls on the University at Buffalo to disable its A.I.-detection service. Callie Holtermann, New York Times, 17 May 2025 Those proteins—called effectors—attack specific targets that collectively disable the host's defense responses and make the host more hospitable for its bacterial conqueror. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025 One captain intentionally beached his boat while being pursued by a Coast Guard cutter, while another only stopped after a Coast Guard crew member fired copper slugs into the boat’s engine to disable it. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2025 In the case of an outage that disables mobile networks, Uplink routers—often backed by batteries or operating on local mesh—can keep neighborhoods connected. Sandy Carter, Forbes.com, 13 May 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
  • This clarity prevents the confusion about who's in charge that often paralyzes organizations.
    Jennifer J. Fondrevay, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The closures have angered local business owners and caused congestion on detour routes that frequently paralyzes the streets of Wharton along with surrounding communities in Morris County.
    Jared Kofsky, ABC News, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • This names someone who can pay your bills and otherwise handle your finances if you become incapacitated.
    Liz Weston, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2025
  • However, by the time Biden became incapacitated, that constitutional remedy was available for use.
    Mark R. Weaver, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Things could have been better still had Leclerc’s race not been undermined by the timing of the two safety cars.
    Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • Trump has pursued policies that have repeatedly undermined the agenda of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and show that divisions between the United States and Israel are widening.
    Daniel Byman, The Atlantic, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • The woman also was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 May 2025
  • Several people were injured in a boat crash in the Hamptons on Sunday night, and the boat’s captain was arrested for boating under the influence, police said.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.
    Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Their backing from the youngest voters weakened in 2024 (Catalist).
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Disable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disable. Accessed 30 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on disable

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