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.

---

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

Incapacitated and no longer able to speak, the elder Mr. Boreyko was carried down the stairs of his apartment building.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2022

Incapacitated in bed, he discussed attending his grandson’s wedding when he got better, and picking up a wartime medal that the government had promised.

From The Guardian • Aug. 15, 2015

Incapacitated and unable to “get up” for four months following the operation, he had a spiritual awakening of sorts.

From Time • Jun. 6, 2013

Incapacitated by a horrendous toothache—a strong contender for the broadest metaphor in history—Don refuses, at first, to have the malignant thing inside him excised.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2012

Incapacitated for exertion, or fearing to be dragged to the hospital, he has shut himself in this apartment.

From Arthur Mervyn Or, Memoirs of the Year 1793 by Brown, Charles Brockden