Disable — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /dis-ˈā-bəl/ dis·able

Meaning & Definition of Disable

Disable (verb)

  1. to make ineffective or inoperative
  2. to impair physically or mentally, to cause disability in
  3. to deprive of legal right, qualification, or capacity

Disable (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause severe or permanent injury to

    "a promising athlete who was severely disabled in a plane crash"

    similar: cripple, incapacitate, lame, maim, mutilate
    related: dismember, hamstring, hobble, paralyze, batter, bruise, bung up, mangle, maul, rough (up), gore, lacerate, wing, wound, disfigure, scar, kneecap, break, damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, bash, beat, belt, bludgeon, buffet, drub, hammer, lace, lambaste, lick, paste, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, thump, bang, box, hit, punch, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thrash, thwack, whack, flog, lash, wallop, whip, kill, murder, torment, torture
    near: cure, heal, rehabilitate, remedy, doctor, fix, mend, patch, rejuvenate, renew, repair, restore

  2. to render powerless, ineffective, or unable to move

    "disabled the controls for unauthorized users"

    similar: cripple, hamstring, immobilize, incapacitate, paralyze, prostrate
    related: attenuate, debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, sap, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken, hobble, lame, maim, mutilate, knock out
    near: energize, galvanize, invigorate, vitalize, fortify, strengthen, empower, freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, restore, revitalize, revive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Disable

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disable:

cripple, incapacitate, lame, maim, mutilate, hamstring, immobilize, paralyze, prostrate

Related Words for Disable

dismember, hobble, batter, bruise, bung up, mangle, maul, rough (up), gore, lacerate, wing, wound, disfigure, scar, kneecap, break, damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, bash, beat, belt, bludgeon, buffet, drub, hammer, lace, lambaste

Near Antonyms of Disable

cure, heal, rehabilitate, remedy, doctor, fix, mend, patch, rejuvenate, renew, repair, restore, energize, galvanize, invigorate, vitalize, fortify, strengthen, empower, freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, revitalize, revive

Word Forms of Disable

Inflections: disabled, disabling

Derived words: disablement (noun), disabling (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Disable

Middle English disablen "to deprive of legal rights" (in past participle disabled), borrowed from Anglo-French desabler, from des- dis- + able able, or from abler "to permit, make able to inherit," derivative of able able

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Disable

What does "Disable" mean?

"Disable" means to make ineffective or inoperative. As a verb, it is defined as: to make ineffective or inoperative. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Disable"?

Other words for "Disable" include cripple, incapacitate, lame, maim, mutilate, hamstring, immobilize and paralyze. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disable" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disable"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disable". Common alternatives include cripple, incapacitate, lame, maim, mutilate, hamstring, immobilize, paralyze and prostrate.

How do you use "Disable" in a sentence?

Examples of "Disable" in a sentence: "a promising athlete who was severely disabled in a plane crash"; "disabled the controls for unauthorized users".

Is "Disable" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Disable" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Disable"?

"Disable" is pronounced /dis-ˈā-bəl/ and divided into syllables as dis·able.

What is the origin of the word "Disable"?

"Disable" comes from Middle English disablen "to deprive of legal rights" (in past participle disabled), borrowed from Anglo-French desabler, from des- dis- + able able, or from abler "to permit, make able to inherit," derivative of able able. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Disable" meaning "to cause severe or permanent injury to"?

When "Disable" (verb) means to cause severe or permanent injury to, synonyms include cripple, incapacitate, lame, maim and mutilate.