cripples
Renders unable to function
Cripples is the plural of cripple—a person with a physical disability, especially one affecting mobility.
The word was once neutral but is now considered offensive when applied to people; disabled or person with a disability are preferred.
Cripples survives as a verb meaning to disable or severely impair: The sanctions crippled their economy.
Debt cripples young graduates.
Deprive of strength or ability
- immobilizeStop all motion
- paralyzeCause loss of movement
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
- debilitateTo make weak
hamstring · hobble · enfeeble · weaken · impede · hinder · hamper · obstruct
To diminish or damage
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- diminishTo make smaller
- degradeLower in standing
- deteriorateGrow worse over time
damage · harm · injure · wound · maim · wreck · ruin · devastate
Oppressive weight or duty
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- fearEmotional response to threat
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
doubt · guilt · shame · grief · depression · despair · overwhelm · stress
System of trade and production
- industryEconomic production sector
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
- governmentAuthority over a state
healthcare · gridlock · shutdown · paralysis · stagnation · bottleneck · shortage · crisis
incapacitate
Deprive of strength or ability
- immobilizeStop all motion
- paralyzeCause loss of movement
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
debilitate · hamstring · hobble · enfeeble · weaken · impede · hinder · hamper · obstruct · stymie
impair
To diminish or damage
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- diminishTo make smaller
- degradeLower in standing
deteriorate · damage · harm · injure · wound · maim · wreck · ruin · devastate · destroy
burden
Oppressive weight or duty
anxiety · doubt · guilt · shame · grief · depression · despair · overwhelm · stress · suffering
economy
System of trade and production
- industryEconomic production sector
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
- institutionEstablished organization or custom
government · healthcare · gridlock · shutdown · paralysis · stagnation · bottleneck · shortage · crisis · recession
cripplesenables
Makes something possible
empowers · helps · assists · aids · facilitates
cripplesstrengthens
Increases force or durability
fortifies · invigorates · vitalizes · energizes · restores
- crippling injuryHarm causing lasting disability
- crippling debt
- crippling fear
- crippling blow
- nipple cripplePainful chest-pinch prank
- crippling diseaseIllness causing severe impairment