- past tense form of incapacitate.
- past participle of incapacitate.
incapacitated
Americanadjective
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.
Vocabulary lists containing incapacitated
Into the Wild
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Outliers
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Mockingjay
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They must have hoped the photos would dispel conspiracy theories that he’s dead, or at least incapacitated.
From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2026
A trust can give you more privacy and smoother estate management if you were to become incapacitated.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 29, 2026
The first incident happened on Wednesday laste week when the team evacuated a German man who was described as "incapacitated" near the remote Rowchoish Bothy.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
It defines a fully disabled veteran as one who is blind in both eyes, has lost the use of at least two limbs, or is otherwise incapacitated due to an injury or disease.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2026
I saw incapacitated pilgrims being carried by others.
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
