Disablement — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /dis-ˈā-bəl/ dis·able

Meaning & Definition of Disablement

Disablement (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

Disablement (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in disability, impairment

    similar: defacement, disability, disfigurement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, harm, hurt, injury, lesion, rupture, strain, abrasion, chafe, scrape, scratch, boo-boo, bruise, contusion, swelling, wound, bump, concussion, cut, gash, laceration, burn, scald, scar, scathe, sear
    opposite: healing, recovery, cure, fix, remedy

  2. as in weakness, debilitation

    similar: debilitation, debility, enervation, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty, impotence, infirmity, weakness, burnout, collapse, exhaustion, fatigue, frazzle, lassitude, prostration, tiredness, weariness, overfatigue, languor, lethargy, listlessness, sluggishness, slumber, stupor, torpidity, torpor, apathy, inertia, passiveness, passivity
    opposite: refreshment, rejuvenation, rejuvenescence, revitalization, bounce, dash, drive, energy, ginger, go, liveliness, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vigor, vim, vitality, zing, zip, might, muscle, potency, power, puissance, strength, briskness, jauntiness, spiritedness, sprightliness, vivaciousness, vivacity

Related Entry: Disable (verb)

Disable is a different word from Disablement. The synonyms below are for disable, not for disablement.

  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 Disablement

The most common words with a similar meaning to Disablement:

defacement, disability, disfigurement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, harm, hurt, injury, lesion, rupture, strain, abrasion, chafe, scrape, scratch, boo-boo, bruise, contusion, swelling, wound, bump, concussion, cut, gash, laceration, burn, scald, scar, scathe, sear, debilitation, debility, enervation, enfeeblement, faintness, feebleness, frailness, frailty

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Disablement

Words with the opposite meaning of Disablement:

healing, recovery, cure, fix, remedy, refreshment, rejuvenation, rejuvenescence, revitalization, bounce, dash, drive, energy, ginger, go, liveliness, pep, punch, sap, snap, starch, verve, vigor, vim, vitality, zing, zip, might, muscle, potency

Word Forms of Disablement

Inflections: disabled, disabling

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

Origin & Etymology of Disablement

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 Disablement

What does "Disablement" mean?

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

What is another word for "Disablement"?

Other words for "Disablement" include defacement, disability, disfigurement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment and harm. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Disablement" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Disablement"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Disablement". Common alternatives include defacement, disability, disfigurement, impairment, affliction, damage, detriment, harm, hurt and injury.

What is the opposite of "Disablement"?

Antonyms of "Disablement" include healing, recovery, cure, fix, remedy, refreshment, rejuvenation and rejuvenescence.

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

"Disablement" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Disablement"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Disablement"?

"Disablement" 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 "Disablement" meaning "as in disability, impairment"?

When "Disablement" (noun) means as in disability, impairment, synonyms include defacement, disability, disfigurement, impairment, affliction and damage. Opposites in this sense include healing, recovery, cure and fix.