crippled
Unable to walk
Crippled describes someone or something severely impaired in function.
Traditionally it meant physically disabled, especially unable to walk: He was crippled in the accident.
The term is now considered offensive when applied to people—disabled or specific terms are preferred.
It remains standard for things: crippled by debt, a crippled economy, The storm crippled the power grid.
Made weak or infirm
- enfeebledMade weak or feeble
- impairedWeakened in function
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
- underminedWeakened by stealth
diminished · depleted · sapped · hamstrung · hobbled · damaged · broken · dysfunctional
Unable to move voluntarily
- wheelchair-boundDependent on rolling mobility aid
- paraplegicLower-limb paralysis sufferer
- quadriplegicParalyzed in all limbs
- amputeeOne without a limb
lame · incapacitated · bedridden · prosthesis · crutches · wheelchair · walker · braces
Not operating properly
- brokenDamaged beyond function
- paralyzedUnable to move voluntarily
- stalledStopped unexpectedly
- gridlockedImmobilized by congestion
hamstrung · ineffective · overwhelmed · underfunded · bureaucratic · failing · collapsed · stagnant
debilitated
Made weak or infirm
- enfeebledMade weak or feeble
- impairedWeakened in function
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
undermined · diminished · depleted · sapped · hamstrung · hobbled · damaged · broken · dysfunctional · ineffective
paralyzed
Unable to move voluntarily
- wheelchair-boundDependent on rolling mobility aid
- paraplegicLower-limb paralysis sufferer
- quadriplegicParalyzed in all limbs
amputee · lame · incapacitated · bedridden · prosthesis · crutches · wheelchair · walker · braces · orthopedic
dysfunctional
Not operating properly
gridlocked · hamstrung · ineffective · overwhelmed · underfunded · bureaucratic · failing · collapsed · stagnant · mismanaged
traumatized
Emotionally damaged by experience
wounded · inhibited · paralyzed · stunted · repressed · fearful · anxious · withdrawn · guarded · haunted
misshapen
Abnormally or poorly formed
- malformedImproperly structured or shaped
- disfiguredSpoiled in appearance
- contortedTwisted unnaturally
twisted · bent · gnarled · stunted · withered · atrophied · shriveled · crooked · hunched · stooped
- stuckjammed, clogged, trapped, stuck in mud, snowed in
- deformitiesdeformed, disfigured, misshapen, distorted, twisted
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
- conditionsmedical condition, weather conditions, environmental conditions, living conditions, working conditions
- incapacitatedunconscious, knocked out, out cold, passed out, comatose
- Disabilitiesblind, paralysis, vision loss, developmental disability, hearing impairment
crippledable-bodied
Physically fit, healthy
healthy · fit · mobile · walking · ambulatory
crippledfunctional
Able to operate correctly
operational · working · effective · intact · running
- crippling injuryHarm causing lasting disability
- crippling debt
- crippling fear
- crippling blow
- nipple cripplePainful chest-pinch prank
- crippling diseaseIllness causing severe impairment