1
as in to incapacitate
to cause severe or permanent injury to
the car crash may have crippled two people for life
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to injure
to reduce the soundness, effectiveness, or perfection of
the collision so severely crippled the ship that it had to be towed into port
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to paralyze
to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move
a wave of strikes crippled that nation's steel industry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cripple
That crippled Huawei’s smartphone brand, once one of the world’s biggest.
—
Joe McDonald, ajc, 9 Mar. 2023
Soon after, sanctions crippled the banking sector, food prices soared, and hospitals filled with malnourished children.
—Christina Goldbaum, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Feb. 2023
Soon after, sanctions crippled the banking sector, food prices soared and hospitals filled with malnourished children.
—Yaqoob Akbary Kiana Hayeri, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2023
If nothing is done, this could cripple the ISS.
—Kay Bailey Hutchison and Jane Harman, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cripple
Joe McDonald, ajc, 9 Mar. 2023
Soon after, sanctions crippled the banking sector, food prices soared, and hospitals filled with malnourished children.
—Christina Goldbaum, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Feb. 2023
Soon after, sanctions crippled the banking sector, food prices soared and hospitals filled with malnourished children.
—Yaqoob Akbary Kiana Hayeri, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2023
If nothing is done, this could cripple the ISS.
—Kay Bailey Hutchison and Jane Harman, WSJ, 16 Aug. 2022
See All Example Sentences for cripple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cripple
Verb
-
Nicholson’s Sinatra, meanwhile, was left incapacitated in a hospital bed after being shot by Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom), the double agent who also murdered Billy (Jon Beavers).—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Since the inauguration, Rubio, Musk and Marocco have taken dramatic steps to incapacitate USAID, the largest foreign aid donor in the world, by firing its employees and halting operations.—
Brett Murphy,
ProPublica,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Officials in Arkansas said Saturday morning that three people died in Independence County and 29 others were injured across eight counties as storms passed through the state overnight.—
Bruce Shipkowski,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The most high-profile attack claimed by ISIS in 2024 was the devastating assault on a Moscow shopping mall in March, which left at least 150 dead and more than 500 injured.—
Mary Kay Mallonee,
CNN,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Don’t let minor risks paralyze major opportunities. 5.—
Aslak de Silva,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The memos, also obtained by ProPublica, estimated that up to 166,000 people would die from malaria due to the cuts, while 200,000 children would be paralyzed by polio.—
Dan Cody,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Senate Bill 1 also offers relief to those 65 years old and older and those who are disabled.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2025
-
At the Smithy, an issue may occur where tutorials are repeatedly shown, disabling certain options in the menu.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
During that time, Carney was criticized by some – particularly on the right – for warning repeatedly that leaving the European Union would damage Britain’s economy.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN,
17 Mar. 2025
-
The way it’s assembled brings a big advantage if it’s rolled or damaged, as body panels may be replaced in a matter of a few days.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Make no mistake—undermining our basic freedoms and pulling funding from schools will not address the real problem of antisemitism and will certainly not help students receive an education.—
Maggie Siddiqi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
This approach would hide the true impact on taxpayers, undermine Senate rules against increasing deficits, and further harm the U.S. fiscal position.—
Doug Criscitello,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Syria's news agency Sana reported at least three people wounded in the attack, northwest of the capital Damascus.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Local officials said three people were killed and at least six wounded.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Rodgers was cut by the New York Jets earlier this year following two seasons marred by an achilles injury and 6-12 overall record as the team’s starting quarterback.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
For Harris and his teammates, March Madness presents an opportunity for redemption after a season marred by a dozen losses.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cripple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cripple. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share