incapacitant
Renders targets helpless
An incapacitant is a chemical agent designed to temporarily disable rather than kill.
Military and law enforcement use incapacitants—tear gas, pepper spray, sedatives—to neutralize targets without lethal force.
The term distinguishes these agents from poisons or nerve agents intended to cause permanent harm or death: The protesters were dispersed with incapacitants.
Eye-irritating riot dispersant
- pepper sprayCapsaicin-based defensive aerosol
- CS gasRiot-dispersing chemical irritant
- maceBludgeon with flanged head
- chloroacetophenoneCrystalline tear-inducing compound
capsaicin · malodorant · aerosol · irritant · chloroform · ether · calmative
Pain-blocking substance
- sedativeDrug promoting calm
- tranquilizerSubstance that induces calm
- narcoticAddictive sedative drug
- hypnoticInducing trance or slumber
soporific · stupefacient · depressant · muscle relaxant · neurotoxin · paralytic · barbiturate · benzodiazepine
Device that incapacitates electrically
- taserHandheld electroshock device
- flashbangNon-lethal light-sound munition
- rubber bulletsNon-lethal police ammunition
- water cannonPressurized stream weapon
sonic weapon · dazzler · electroshock · net gun · disabler · crowd dispersal · pain compliance
Loss of muscle function
- debilitationLoss of strength or vitality
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- stuporSuspended sensibility
unconsciousness · temporary blindness · numbness · nausea · convulsion · respiratory distress · motor impairment · sensory overload
Regulating gathered masses
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- hostage rescueFreeing people held against will
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
subduing · neutralization · detention · compliance · apprehension · tactical · perimeter security · dispersal
tear gas
Eye-irritating riot dispersant
- pepper sprayCapsaicin-based defensive aerosol
- CS gasRiot-dispersing chemical irritant
- maceBludgeon with flanged head
chloroacetophenone · capsaicin · malodorant · aerosol · irritant · chloroform · ether · calmative
anesthetic
Pain-blocking substance
- sedativeDrug promoting calm
- tranquilizerSubstance that induces calm
- narcoticAddictive sedative drug
hypnotic · soporific · stupefacient · depressant · muscle relaxant · neurotoxin · paralytic · barbiturate · benzodiazepine · opioid
stun gun
Device that incapacitates electrically
- taserHandheld electroshock device
- flashbangNon-lethal light-sound munition
- rubber bulletsNon-lethal police ammunition
water cannon · sonic weapon · dazzler · electroshock · net gun · disabler · crowd dispersal · pain compliance
paralysis
Loss of muscle function
- debilitationLoss of strength or vitality
- disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
stupor · unconsciousness · temporary blindness · numbness · nausea · convulsion · respiratory distress · motor impairment · sensory overload · vertigo
crowd control
Regulating gathered masses
- law enforcementUpholding legal codes
- militaryArmed forces collectively
- hostage rescueFreeing people held against will
self-defense · subduing · neutralization · detention · compliance · apprehension · tactical · perimeter security · dispersal
incapacitantpoison
Harmful ingested substance
toxin · nerve agent · chemical weapon · deadly weapon · deadly force
incapacitantstimulant
Alertness-boosting drug
enabler · restorative · antidote · counteragent · energizer
incapacitated, incapacitate, incapacitating, incapacitates, incapacitation, incapacitations