crippled

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "crippled" can be used in written English, but it is considered to be an outdated and potentially offensive term.
It is generally best to avoid using this term unless you are using it in a direct quotation or in a historical context. For example, "At the opening of the 20th century, many people with disabilities were referred to as 'crippled'".

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather than acting as a tool to unearth the fragility of the human psyche, the effect is the equivalent to Dirty Dancing if Johnny Castle was crippled by, say, Tourette syndrome.

The Guardian - Film

'Our party was crippled by the merger,' said another during the morning debate over whether to have a debate on the constitution, 'now it's going to shoot itself in both feet.' It is often said that people like this can be jogged out of their amnesia and trauma by familiar faces from the past, doing typical things from their previous lives.

The Guardian

And there's Mrs Nipper, starching her Anderson shelter - good for you, Mrs Nipper, Rommel won't know what's hit him!" It was patronising and designed to give citizens enough self-esteem to die, or be crippled, to lose their homes and those they loved, for the sake of their country, or something quite like it.

The Guardian

We walked into town once and were crippled.

The Guardian - Film

Without educating its children the country has little hope of eradicating the poverty that has crippled this generation.

The Guardian

For all their recent superstar fawning coverage, Adams and McGuinness headed an organisation for three decades that slaughtered and crippled thousands in the Irish people's name.

The Guardian

That has crippled the Palestinian budget and led to deep pay cuts for state workers.

The Guardian

It means sophisticated surgical operations that rely on antibiotics – heart transplants, for one – being crippled.

The Guardian - Opinion

I spoke to people in the know about how he might feel at certain points – like when his kids get shit at school because of him; when his wife threatens to leave on the day of a looming leadership challenge; of not being able to get it up because he's so crippled by paranoia.

The Guardian - Books

Where Occupy Sandy has been an efficient prosthesis for a community crippled more by capitalism than by a hurricane, UK Uncut has become the strong arm of a state too weak to enforce its own laws.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unknown to the voting public, their fit young president was, in fact, crippled with back pain from Addison's disease, taking industrial quantities of drugs to get through the day.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using the word "crippled", as it can be offensive. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "disabled", "impaired", or "weakened" to avoid causing offense.

Common error

Avoid using "crippled" to describe non-physical impairments or situations where a more accurate and sensitive term exists. For instance, instead of saying "the project was crippled by budget cuts", consider "the project was severely hampered by budget cuts".

Linguistic Context

The word "crippled" functions primarily as an adjective, describing something or someone that has been damaged or impaired, either physically or functionally. As Ludwig AI points out, it can also function as the past tense of the verb 'to cripple'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Film

7%

Books

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "crippled" functions as an adjective or a verb. Ludwig AI suggests avoiding "crippled" due to its outdated and potentially offensive nature, especially in modern contexts. While grammatically correct and frequent, caution should be exercised when using it. Consider alternatives like "disabled", "impaired", or "weakened" to ensure sensitivity and avoid causing offense. The prevalent usage of "crippled" in news and media highlights its commonality, but the potentially offensive nature demands thoughtful consideration of the audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disabled

Implies an impairment that limits one or more major life activities; focuses on functionality.

impaired

Suggests a weakened or damaged state, reducing effectiveness.

debilitated

Indicates a weakened or enfeebled state, often due to illness or injury.

hampered

Signifies being held back or impeded in progress or function.

incapacitated

Implies being deprived of strength or ability; unable to function normally.

weakened

Suggests a reduction in strength, power, or effectiveness.

damaged

Indicates physical harm or impairment, reducing utility.

impaired in function

Explicitly refers to a reduced capability to operate normally.

severely affected

Highlights a significant negative impact or influence.

rendered ineffective

Emphasizes a complete loss of ability to produce desired results.

FAQs

How can I use the word "crippled" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, using "crippled" should be done with caution due to its potential to offend. It's best used when directly quoting someone or describing historical contexts where the term was commonly used. In most modern contexts, consider alternatives such as "disabled" or "impaired".

What are some alternatives to the word "crippled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "disabled", "impaired", "weakened", or "hampered". Choose the word that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "crippled" to describe something non-physical, like a business or economy?

While it's grammatically possible, using "crippled" in a non-physical context can be insensitive and is generally discouraged. Opt for more neutral and precise language, such as "severely affected", "hampered", or "undermined". These alternatives avoid potentially offensive connotations.

What's the difference between "crippled" and "disabled"?

"Crippled" is considered an outdated and potentially offensive term. "Disabled" is the preferred term when referring to a person with a disability, as it is more respectful and avoids negative connotations. The same goes for the use of alternatives in non-physical contexts, with crippled almost always being substituted by alternatives.