incapacitate

Definition

To make someone or something incapable of doing something; to disable.

Etymology

Mid-17th century, from incapacity + -ate (verb-forming suffix). Compare French incapaciter.

Example Sentences

• "The police officer was incapacitated by a blow to the head."
• "Wilson's principal motivation for situation-oriented policies was the desire to change the real world by proposing politically practicable policies. And his principle prescription was to incapacitate a larger number of habitual offenders."