crippling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "crippling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes severe damage or impairment, often in a metaphorical sense, such as in discussions about mental health, economic issues, or physical conditions. Example: "The crippling anxiety she experienced made it difficult for her to leave the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Woodward writes: "What is clear is that we need something that allows justice to be seen to be done, without crippling the peace process or simply avoiding the issue.

The Guardian

In return for limits on Iran's nuclear programme, there would be recognition of its right to continue enriching uranium and relief from the sanctions that are crippling its economy.

The Economist

For Sharp's lenders, the sheer scale of its debt means they cannot allow a bankruptcy without crippling their own profits.

The Economist

What started as a financial problem is now crippling the real economy.

The Economist

Since then, a split between the Western-backed parliamentary majority and the pro-Syrian opposition has widened into a seemingly unbridgeable chasm, raising sectarian tensions and crippling the state, even as it struggles to manage reconstruction, a $33 billion foreign debt, a looming presidential election, and a continued series of assassinations.

The Economist

Reduced squads may be a nuisance but, with an array of talent to choose from, it will not be crippling.

The Economist

Senior Tories have said that the prime minister will face a crippling rebellion unless he drops the threat, outlined last October by the former justice secretary Chris Grayling, to withdraw from the European convention on human rights if a series of changes were rejected.

The Guardian

The storm system driving out of the midwest brought snow to Ohio on Sunday and was expected to ultimately spread from the nation's capital to Maine for a "crippling and potentially historic blizzard", the NWS said.

The Guardian

The Bar cannot and will not accept these unnecessary and crippling cuts and will continue to fiercely oppose them at every opportunity until our reasonable requests have been met with the appropriate levels of consideration".

The Guardian

"The impact both on them and on wider society is already becoming clear, with rising numbers of young people delaying having children, unable to move for job opportunities and spending longer and longer living with their parents because of the crippling cost of housing," Robb said.

The Guardian - Money

I witnessed first-hand some crippling spending cuts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "crippling", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being severely damaged or impaired. For instance, "crippling debt" is clearer than simply "crippling".

Common error

Avoid using "crippling" in overly casual conversation. While impactful, it can sound melodramatic if used to describe minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "crippling" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that causes severe damage or impairment. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and commonly used term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crippling" functions as an adjective to denote severe damage or impairment, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is frequently used to highlight the significant negative impact of various conditions, situations or actions. The register is primarily neutral to professional, with common usage in news and business contexts. When using "crippling", clarity and context are essential to avoid misinterpretation. Alternatives like "debilitating" or "devastating" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

debilitating

Focuses more on the weakening or enervating effect.

devastating

Emphasizes the destructive and overwhelming nature of the impact.

incapacitating

Highlights the loss of ability or function.

ruinous

Stresses the destructive financial impact or collapse.

paralyzing

Implies a complete standstill or inability to proceed.

disabling

Focuses on the reduction or loss of ability to function normally.

severe

Indicates a high degree of intensity or seriousness in the impact.

catastrophic

Emphasizes the disastrous and far-reaching consequences.

oppressive

Highlights the burdensome and restrictive nature.

overwhelming

Stresses the magnitude and difficulty to manage.

FAQs

How can I use "crippling" in a sentence?

You can use "crippling" to describe something that severely damages or impairs, such as "The company faced "crippling debt"" or "The athlete suffered a "crippling injury"".

What are some synonyms for "crippling"?

Alternatives to "crippling" include "debilitating", "devastating", "incapacitating", or "paralyzing", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "crippling" or "debilitating"?

Both "crippling" and "debilitating" suggest a severe weakening or impairment. "Crippling" often implies a more sudden or forceful impact, while "debilitating" suggests a gradual weakening.

What's the difference between "crippling" and "damaging"?

"Crippling" implies a severe level of damage that significantly impairs function or operation. "Damaging", on the other hand, is a more general term for causing harm and does not necessarily imply such a severe impact.