CRIPPLE Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'cripple' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cripple are batter , maim , mangle , and mutilate . While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg. // crippled for life in an accident

Q: Where would 'batter' be a reasonable alternative to 'cripple'?

While in some cases nearly identical to cripple , batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate. // an old ship battered by fierce storms

Q: In what contexts can 'maim' take the place of 'cripple'?

The words maim and cripple can be used in similar contexts, but maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence. // maimed by a shark

Q: When is 'mangle' a more appropriate choice than 'cripple'?

Although the words mangle and cripple have much in common, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds. // a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

Q: When can 'mutilate' be used instead of 'cripple'?

While the synonyms mutilate and cripple are close in meaning, mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function. // a tree mutilated by inept pruning

cripple

verb

Definition of cripple next

as in to incapacitate

to cause severe or permanent injury to the car crash may have crippled two people for life

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb cripple contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cripple are batter, maim, mangle, and mutilate. While all these words mean "to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage," cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg.

crippled for life in an accident

Where would batter be a reasonable alternative to cripple?

While in some cases nearly identical to cripple, batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate.

an old ship battered by fierce storms

In what contexts can maim take the place of cripple?

The words maim and cripple can be used in similar contexts, but maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence.

maimed by a shark

When is mangle a more appropriate choice than cripple?

Although the words mangle and cripple have much in common, mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds.

a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel

When can mutilate be used instead of cripple?

While the synonyms mutilate and cripple are close in meaning, mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function.

a tree mutilated by inept pruning

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cripple

Verb

He was drugged before being taken back to his apartment by the defendants, who then robbed him of over $2,000 and left him lying incapacitated on his bed, according to prosecutors.

— Liam Quinn, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025
One punch by Harrison Ford's terrifying Red Hulk is enough to outright incapacitate Wilson for good.

— Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025