incapacitated

American  

[in-kuh-pas-i-tey-tid] / ˌɪn kəˈpæs ɪˌteɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. deprived of strength or ability; made incapable or nonfunctional.

   She’ll be incapacitated for several weeks after the surgery.

   Those stealing fuel from incapacitated tanker trucks risk being killed by explosions.

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Etymology

Origin of incapacitated

First recorded in 1795–1805; incapacitate + -ed ²

Explanation

If you’ve been sick with the flu for a week, barely able to get out of bed, then you’ve got an idea of what it’s like to be incapacitated. Incapacitated means "empty of strength," "helpless," or "powerless." Incapacitated is an adjective that describes a state where you don’t have the capacity, or ability, to accomplish something. When someone becomes incapacitated, illness or injury is usually to blame. Incapacitated can also mean "ineligible." For instance, if you are too old to join the army, then your age makes you incapacitated from serving in the army.

Example Sentences

Without a durable POA, if you were to become incapacitated, your family would have to start a court proceeding to be able to pay your bills or manage your finances.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

While a passenger on a flight across Canada in late 1955, he wondered what would happen if both pilots were incapacitated and he had to try and land the big four-engined plane.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Two Iranian officials privately said Khamenei was injured but denied he was incapacitated.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

A program meant for a small number of incapacitated patients could easily start to encompass many more people whose primary problem is poverty.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2026

‘Frank, Hazel, Leo... let’s talk. Piper, can you keep our friend musically incapacitated?’

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan