Crippling
'krɪplɪŋ
Definitions
2 meaningsCausing someone or something to be severely damaged or impaired.
'krɪplɪŋ
Causing severe damage or impairment.
The crippling drought devastated the agricultural sector.
💡 Simply: Like when a big storm cripples the power grid, making it super hard for everyone to have electricity, or like a tough injury that keeps you from playing your favorite sport.
👶 For kids: Making something stop working or making it hard to do things.
More Examples
The company suffered crippling losses due to the scandal.
The crippling pain made it difficult for her to walk.
How It's Used
"Crippling taxes hindered economic growth."
"A crippling disease can severely affect one's daily life."
"The injury had a crippling effect on his career."
Present participle of the verb 'cripple,' meaning to cause severe damage to.
'krɪplɪŋ
Present participle of cripple
The ongoing war is crippling the economy.
💡 Simply: This is the action of making something seriously weak or unable to work, like constantly hurting something.
👶 For kids: When something is making something else hurt or not work.
More Examples
Inflation is crippling the family's budget.
The disease is crippling his immune system.
How It's Used
"The economic downturn is crippling the small businesses in the area."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
crippling blow
A severe setback or defeat.
"The unexpected tax increase was a crippling blow to the company."
From the verb "cripple," which originates from the Middle English "criplen," meaning to make lame or disabled, from the Old English "crypel," meaning a lame person. The -ing suffix is added to form the present participle and gerund.
Historically, the word was used to describe physical disabilities and gradually extended to abstract damages, such as economic hardship and emotional distress.
Memory tip
Think of a CRIPPLE as someone severely limited. CRIPPLING is a process of causing this severe limitation.
Word Origin
"lame person"