disable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'disable' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as either a verb or an adjective. For example, "The injury disabled him from competing in the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will scrap mandatory fitments of eCall and allow owners who already have eCall installed to disable it on their vehicles".

The Guardian - Tech

The Stuxnet worm, which the US and Israel used to disable Iranian centrifuges, was introduced via flash drive.

The Guardian - Opinion

e0405e90-2bf7-45f4-b370-6811907fef7b IN THE frantic search for ways to stop the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a gel that women apply to their vaginas before having sex, in order to destroy or disable the virus, sounds one of the most desperate.

The Economist

"You can permanently disable a gene but this only works if you change the DNA code.

The Guardian

It helps the development of atherosclerotic plaque, so you're going to have a heart attack; it helps disable brain cells, so you've got a neurodegenerative disease now; it helps a nascent cancer cell grow and metastasise".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He died in hospital an hour-and-a-half after being shot with the Taser, an electroshock weapon that fires high voltage electricity which should temporarily disable, but not kill, its victim.

The Guardian

One potential solution is to combine radiation treatment with sustained gene therapy to disable a number of the common receptors used by the virus, but there is still some way to go to prove this is safe.

The Guardian

It also means we're probably two and a half months away from the producers of Star Wars doing something to disable whatever momentum Jurassic World builds up.

The Guardian - Film

But it was accused by Russia and China of using this as an excuse to demonstrate that it, too, could carry out a successful anti-satellite strike.Yet there are other ways to disable or destroy a satellite.

The Economist

"Until we secure our cyber-infrastructure, a few keystrokes and an Internet connection is all one needs to disable the economy and endanger lives," Lamar Smith, a Texas congressman, told a judiciary committee in February.

The Economist

Because the internet is a physical entity, of fibres, routers and switches, governments can and do disable parts of it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the word "disable" in technical contexts, consider specifying the method or reason for the action to provide clarity. For example, instead of saying 'The feature was disabled', say 'The feature was disabled due to a security vulnerability'.

Common error

Avoid using "disable" when you mean to "disallow". "Disable" means to make something inoperable, while "disallow" means to not permit something. For instance, you would "disable" a function, but "disallow" access to a system.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disable" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what is being rendered inoperative or incapable. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where "disable" is used to describe actions taken to deactivate or impair functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

31%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "disable" is a versatile verb with a wide range of applications, primarily used to describe the act of making something inoperable or ineffective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. Its register is typically neutral, although it may lean towards professional or formal settings depending on the specific use case. To ensure clarity, consider specifying the reason or method for disabling something. While generally applicable, be mindful not to confuse it with "disallow", which has a distinct meaning of not permitting something. This comprehensive analysis should "disable" any hesitation in confidently using this term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deactivate

Focuses on switching off or ceasing the function of something, particularly electronic devices.

make inoperative

A more formal way of saying to disable something.

incapacitate

Implies making someone or something unable to function normally, often due to injury or impairment.

render unusable

Emphasizes the result of disabling something, focusing on its lack of usability.

decommission

Suggests taking something out of service, often permanently, such as a power plant or a weapon system.

invalidate

Refers to making something null and void, or without legal force.

nullify

Means to make something legally void or ineffective.

shut down

Specifically refers to halting the operation of a system or device.

turn off

A simpler and more direct way to express ceasing the operation of something, like a machine or light.

cut off

Suggests stopping the supply of something, like power or communication.

FAQs

How to use "disable" in a sentence?

You can use "disable" to describe making something inoperable, such as "The administrator can "disable" the user's account" or "The software can "disable" certain features".

What can I say instead of "disable"?

You can use alternatives like "deactivate", "decommission", or "invalidate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "disable" or "disallow"?

"Disable" and "disallow" have different meanings. "Disable" means to make something inoperable, while "disallow" means to not permit something. Choose the word that accurately reflects your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "disable" and "deactivate"?

While "disable" and "deactivate" are often used interchangeably, "deactivate" typically implies a reversible action, while "disable" can suggest a more permanent or difficult-to-reverse state.