What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disabling
Example
The accident left him with a disabling injury that prevented him from working. [disabling: adjective]
Example
The virus was capable of disabling the entire computer network. [disabling: present participle]
incapacitating
Example
The flu was so severe that it left her incapacitated for weeks. [incapacitated: past participle]
Example
The poison was capable of incapacitating anyone who ingested it. [incapacitating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disabling is more commonly used than incapacitating in everyday language. Disabling is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while incapacitating is more specific and often associated with the effects of drugs or toxins.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between disabling and incapacitating?
Both disabling and incapacitating are formal terms that are commonly used in medical or technical contexts.
