DISABLING Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

disabling

verb

present participle of disable

as in crippling

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

as in paralyzing

to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move disabled the controls for unauthorized users

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 disabling Powerful solar storms, like the one that hit Earth in January, are capable of disrupting or disabling satellites by interfering with onboard electronics, sensitive instruments and communications systems. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 23 July 2026 Despite a disabling illness, Ettenberg continues expanding these essential tools, ensuring others can dine with confidence. — Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 Fowler’s medical chart detailed what could have caused her disabling problems. — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026 Every improvement in surveillance capability encourages new methods of avoidance, whether through disabling tracking devices, manipulating vessel identities, or exploiting gaps between different monitoring systems. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026 Not content to wait for local officials to strike down ALPR contracts, concerned citizens are taking matters into their own hands by disabling or cutting down Flock camera towers wherever they’re found. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 16 July 2026 In another case, a California prison guard with spinal problems also claimed other ailments, including toenail fungus and eczema, as work-disabling conditions. — Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 16 July 2026 Healthspan is the stretch of life spent reasonably free of disabling disease, pain and serious limitation, according to Harvard Health. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026 Other safeguards include disabling Cisco Smart Install on all devices, using strong passwords, updating firmware regularly, and avoiding the use of other networking protocols. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for disabling

Verb

Without that kind of money, Proposition 36 backers argue that the governor and the Legislature are unfairly crippling the new laws.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026
Florida didn’t have the cap space to work out the shorter term deal without crippling its ability to make other moves this offseason to enhance the roster.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026

Definition of crippling

Verb

Gripped by a paralyzing fear for the fate of her future children, Naama returns to the same monument where the infidelity took place; there, her parents appear before her.

— Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Aug. 2026
But as anyone who’s stared at a wall of swatches well knows, choosing the right shade can feel paralyzing.

— Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026

Definition of paralyzing

Verb

Some people with severe cases – with a high fever or incapacitating diarrhea that is bloody – may need to get care at a hospital.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026
The driver hits Leatherface in the head with a wrench, incapacitating him long enough for the driver to run away and Sally to jump into the cab of a passing pickup truck.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 July 2026

Definition of incapacitating

Verb

Careless language can transform guidance into judgment, or urgency into panic, undermining psychological safety.

— Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Undermining trust By introducing an AI image generator as a Google Earth feature, Google risked undermining public trust in Google Earth as a reliable reference for providing authentic imagery of the real world, Ess said.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of undermining

Verb

Peshawar, PakistanAP — A suicide bomber targeted protesters at an antimilitant rally in northwestern Pakistan on Sunday, killing at least 14 people, mostly civilians and police officers, and wounding more than two dozen others, officials said.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Police are searching for the gunman who opened fire inside a Walmart in Delaware County on Friday night, wounding an employee and sending shoppers scrambling for safety.

— Frederick Sutton Sinclair, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of wounding

Verb

There are different types of algae scrapers for both glass and acrylic fish tanks, so choose accordingly to avoid scratching or damaging the aquarium.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026
Use low-pressure water to avoid damaging the aluminum fins and causing performance issues.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of damaging

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disables

disabling

disabuse

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“Disabling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/disabling. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of disabling

verb

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