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B1 verb #32 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

crippled

Top 32

At the A1 level, the word 'crippled' is quite difficult and not usually taught. It is better to use simple words like 'broken' or 'cannot move'. If you see this word, think of a toy that is so broken it cannot be played with anymore. For example, if a car's wheels are gone, the car is 'crippled'—it cannot go. However, you should not use this word to talk about people. It is much better to say 'he is hurt' or 'he cannot walk'. At this beginning stage, focus on the idea of something being 'very broken' or 'stopped'. You might hear it in a simple story about a kingdom where the 'economy was crippled' because there was no food. Just remember: crippled = very, very broken and cannot work. It is a strong word, so we don't use it for small things like a broken pencil. We use it for big things like a whole city or a big machine. Because it is a B1 word, don't worry if you find it hard to use. Just try to recognize it when you read about big problems in the news. Always remember to be kind and never use this word to describe a person you know or see, as it can make people feel sad or angry. In A1 English, we like to use 'disabled' or 'injured' instead when talking about living things, but even then, 'hurt' is the easiest word to start with.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn more descriptive verbs. 'Crippled' is a verb that describes a very high level of damage. Think of it as 'super-damaged'. If a storm hits a town and all the roads are closed and the power is out, the storm has 'crippled' the town. The town cannot 'function' (work normally). You might see this word in basic news reports or history books. For example, 'The war crippled the country.' This means the country became very poor and things stopped working. It is important to notice that 'crippled' is often used with 'by'. For example: 'The bus was crippled by a flat tire.' (Though 'disabled' is better here). A2 students should practice identifying the 'cause' and the 'effect'. The cause is usually a disaster, a strike, or a big mistake. The effect is that something big stops working. Remember the social rule: do not use 'crippled' to describe people. It is an old-fashioned and rude way to talk about someone with a physical disability. Instead, use 'person with a disability'. In your writing, you can use 'crippled' to make your stories about robots or machines sound more dramatic. 'The robot's legs were crippled by the laser beam.' This shows the robot can no longer walk. It is much stronger than saying 'the robot was hurt'.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 'crippled' is primarily used metaphorically. This means we use a physical idea (not being able to walk) to describe an abstract idea (a system not being able to work). You will often see this in news articles about the economy, politics, or technology. For instance, 'The cyberattack crippled the bank's servers.' This doesn't mean the servers have legs that are broken; it means the servers are completely unable to perform their job of processing money. As a B1 learner, you should start using this word to add variety to your vocabulary, especially when discussing serious topics. Instead of always saying 'damaged' or 'stopped', you can use 'crippled' to show that the damage is severe and systemic. It affects the whole thing, not just a small part. You should also be aware of the passive voice construction: 'The industry was crippled by the new taxes.' This is a very common way to see the word used. Furthermore, you should be sensitive to the word's history. While it's okay to say 'the economy was crippled', it is not okay to say 'the man was crippled'. Using the word for people is a major mistake in modern English. At this level, you are expected to understand these social nuances. Try to use 'crippled' when you want to emphasize that a problem is so big that it has caused a total halt in operations.

At the B2 level, you should be able to distinguish between 'crippled', 'hampered', and 'paralyzed'. While they all relate to things being stopped or slowed, 'crippled' implies a deep, structural injury that prevents function. 'Hampered' is much weaker; it means something is just being made difficult. If a runner has a small stone in their shoe, their progress is 'hampered'. If the runner breaks their leg, their ability to run is 'crippled'. At B2, you should use 'crippled' in formal essays to describe the impact of historical events or economic policies. For example, 'The Treaty of Versailles crippled the German economy, leading to widespread unrest.' This shows a sophisticated grasp of cause and effect. You should also recognize the word in literature where it might describe a character's mental state. 'He was crippled by a sense of guilt.' This means his guilt was so strong he couldn't live a normal life. You should also be very comfortable with the word's 'register'. It is a formal, serious word. You wouldn't use it in a casual text to a friend about a broken phone, but you would use it in a business report about a failed merger. Understanding the 'weight' of your words is a key part of the B2 level. You should also be able to explain why the word is considered offensive when applied to people, demonstrating your cultural competence in English-speaking environments.

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'crippled' as a word that conveys both devastation and a loss of essential utility. You should be able to use it fluently in complex discussions about infrastructure, systemic risk, and macroeconomics. For instance, you might discuss how 'the lack of investment in green energy has crippled the nation's long-term energy security.' Here, 'crippled' suggests a self-inflicted or systemic weakness that has profound future consequences. You should also be aware of the word's usage in technical fields like computer science (e.g., 'crippleware'—software that has had its vital features intentionally disabled until the user pays). At this level, your use of the word should be precise. You should avoid it where 'vitiated', 'undermined', or 'stultified' might be more academically precise, but use 'crippled' when you want to evoke a visceral sense of a system being brought to its knees. You should also be highly sensitive to the 'person-first' language movement and be able to navigate the linguistic history of the word. You might even encounter the word in 'Crip Theory' within disability studies, where the term is being 'reclaimed' by the disability community, much like other slurs have been. Understanding this level of sociolinguistic complexity is a hallmark of the C1 learner. You should be able to identify when the word is being used for dramatic effect in journalism versus when it is being used as a precise technical descriptor of a failed system.

At the C2 level, you should possess a mastery of 'crippled' that allows you to use it with perfect rhetorical precision. You understand that the word carries a legacy of physical pain and social exclusion, which gives it its metaphorical power. You can use it to create powerful imagery in high-level writing, such as 'The bureaucracy had become so bloated that it crippled the very innovations it was designed to foster.' You are also aware of the word's etymological roots in Old English ('crypel'), relating to 'creeping', and how this informs its sense of restricted movement. At this level, you can analyze the use of the word in classic literature—from Dickens to Steinbeck—and explain how the shift in its social acceptability reflects broader changes in cultural attitudes toward disability. You should be able to use synonyms like 'enervated', 'atrophied', or 'palsied' to convey similar ideas with different shades of meaning. For example, 'enervated' suggests a loss of vitality, while 'crippled' suggests a structural break. Your ability to choose between these based on the specific 'flavor' of the situation is what defines C2 proficiency. You should also be able to handle the word in its most abstract forms, such as 'crippling debt' or 'crippling anxiety', recognizing how these collocations have become fixed expressions in the English lexicon to describe overwhelming forces that rob an individual or entity of their agency and potential.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

crippled en 30 secondes

To cripple means to cause severe damage that stops something from working.
It is mostly used for systems, economies, and organizations in modern English.
Using it to describe people is considered offensive and should be avoided.
It is a strong, formal word often found in news and history.

The word crippled is a powerful and evocative verb that carries significant weight in the English language. At its core, to cripple something means to cause such severe damage or impairment that it can no longer function, move, or operate in its normal or intended capacity. Historically, this word was used primarily in a medical or physical sense to describe a person or animal that had lost the use of one or more limbs. However, in contemporary English, the usage has shifted dramatically. While you will still encounter it in older literature or historical documents referring to physical disability, its modern application is almost exclusively metaphorical or technical, focusing on systems, economies, and organizations.

Functional Impairment: This refers to the act of making something unable to work. For example, a computer virus might cripple a global banking network, meaning the network is not just slow, but completely unable to process transactions.

The massive snowstorm effectively crippled the city's public transportation system for three days.

When we talk about an economy being crippled, we are describing a state of severe recession or collapse where businesses cannot operate and the flow of money has stopped. This is often used in political and economic journalism to emphasize the gravity of a situation. It suggests a level of damage that is not easily repaired; it implies a long-term struggle for recovery. Because the word is so strong, it is rarely used for minor inconveniences. You wouldn't say a broken shoelace crippled your walk, but you might say a broken ankle crippled your ability to compete in the marathon.

Economic Context: In finance, 'crippled' describes a market or company that has lost its competitive edge or its ability to generate revenue due to external shocks or internal failures.

High interest rates and falling demand have crippled the small business sector this year.

The word also appears in technical discussions regarding infrastructure. If a bridge is crippled by a structural failure, it means the bridge is no longer safe for use and its primary function—carrying traffic—has been terminated. This sense of 'ending a function' is key to understanding the word's impact. It is more than just 'hurting' or 'damaging'; it is about 'stopping' or 'disabling'.

Systemic Failure: Used when a core component of a larger machine or organization fails, leading to a total halt of operations.

A sudden strike by air traffic controllers crippled international travel across the continent.

The scandal crippled the politician's chances of being re-elected.

Lack of funding has crippled the research project before it could even begin.

Using 'crippled' correctly requires an understanding of its intensity. It is a 'high-stakes' word. When you use it, you are signaling that the damage is not just significant, but potentially terminal or at least deeply debilitating. In sentence construction, it is most frequently used in the active voice to describe a cause-and-effect relationship, or in the passive voice to describe the state of the victimized entity.

Active Voice Usage: Subject + crippled + Object. This structure emphasizes the agent of destruction. Example: 'The drought crippled the local farming industry.'

A series of bad investments crippled the bank's liquidity.

In the passive voice, which is very common in news reporting, the focus is on the entity that is suffering. This is often followed by the preposition 'by' to indicate the cause. Example: 'The nation was crippled by the civil war.' This structure is useful when the cause is a complex event rather than a single person or object.

Passive Voice Usage: Subject + was/were + crippled + by + Cause. Example: 'The internet was crippled by a massive cyberattack.'

The city's infrastructure was crippled by the earthquake.

You can also use 'crippled' to describe emotional or psychological states in a literary sense, though this is less common in everyday speech. For instance, 'He was crippled by fear' suggests that his fear was so intense he could not act or make a decision. This uses the physical metaphor of being unable to move to describe a mental block.

Metaphorical/Emotional: Describing an emotion that prevents normal mental function. Example: 'She was crippled by grief after the loss of her home.'

The company was crippled by a lack of innovation.

The legal system was crippled by a backlog of thousands of cases.

Fear of failure has crippled many potentially great artists.

You are most likely to encounter the word 'crippled' in serious, formal, or dramatic contexts. It is a favorite of news anchors, economic analysts, and historians. When a journalist wants to convey the absolute devastation of a natural disaster, they won't just say the city was 'hit'; they will say the city was 'crippled'. This choice of words instantly tells the audience that the basic functions of life—water, electricity, transport—have stopped.

News & Media: Used to describe the impact of strikes, wars, or disasters. Example: 'The nationwide strike has crippled the postal service.'

The hurricane crippled the power grid for weeks.

In the world of business and finance, 'crippled' is used to describe the effect of competition or regulation. If a new law makes it impossible for a company to make a profit, analysts might say the law has 'crippled' the industry. It implies that the industry is still there, but it's struggling to survive and cannot function as it once did. It's a word of 'diminished capacity'.

Business Analysis: Describing the effect of debt or market shifts. Example: 'The company was crippled by its massive debt load.'

Supply chain issues have crippled the automotive industry's production lines.

In literature and film, 'crippled' is often used to describe characters who are emotionally stuck. A character might be 'crippled by indecision' or 'crippled by a secret'. This adds a layer of drama and helps the audience understand that the character's internal struggle is as debilitating as a physical injury. However, be aware that in modern scripts, writers are increasingly choosing words like 'paralyzed' or 'frozen' to avoid the negative connotations associated with the word 'crippled'.

Literary/Dramatic: Describing a character's inability to act. Example: 'He was crippled by the weight of his responsibilities.'

The detective was crippled by self-doubt after the case went cold.

Sanctions have crippled the country's ability to import essential medicines.

The software bug crippled the operating system, forcing a total reboot.

The most significant mistake you can make with the word 'crippled' is not a grammatical one, but a social one. In the past, 'cripple' was a standard term for someone with a physical disability. Today, this is considered a slur or, at the very least, highly insensitive. When describing a person, you should always use 'person with a disability' or 'disabled person'. Using 'crippled' to describe a human being in a modern setting will likely cause offense and make you appear out of touch or disrespectful.

Social Sensitivity: Mistake: 'He is a crippled man.' Correct: 'He has a physical disability.' or 'He is a person with a disability.'

Incorrect: The accident crippled him for life. (Better: The accident left him with a permanent disability.)

Another common mistake is using 'crippled' for minor issues. Because the word implies a total or near-total loss of function, using it for something small sounds like hyperbole (exaggeration). If your phone battery is low, it isn't 'crippled'; it's just 'low'. If your car has a flat tire, it isn't 'crippled' (unless the flat tire causes a major accident that destroys the car's frame); it's just 'disabled' or 'stuck'. Reserve 'crippled' for situations where the damage is fundamental and widespread.

Overuse/Hyperbole: Mistake: 'The rain crippled my plans for a walk.' Correct: 'The rain ruined my plans for a walk.'

Incorrect: A small typo crippled the entire essay. (Better: A small typo marred the entire essay.)

Learners also sometimes confuse 'crippled' with 'injured'. 'Injured' is for living things and focuses on the pain or the wound. 'Crippled' focuses on the loss of function. If a runner is injured, they might have a cut. If a runner is crippled (metaphorically, in their career), they can no longer run at all. Always consider if the 'function' is the main point of your sentence.

Confusion with 'Injured': Mistake: 'The player was crippled during the match.' (This sounds very permanent and tragic). Correct: 'The player was injured during the match.'

Incorrect: The cat's paw was crippled by a thorn. (Better: The cat's paw was hurt by a thorn.)

Incorrect: I was crippled by the flu for two days. (Better: I was bedridden or incapacitated by the flu.)

Because 'crippled' is such a strong and sometimes controversial word, it is useful to have a variety of alternatives in your vocabulary. Depending on the context—whether you are talking about a computer, an economy, or a person—different words will be more appropriate and precise. Choosing the right synonym can help you avoid giving offense or sounding overly dramatic.

Paralyzed: This is the closest synonym for metaphorical use. It means unable to move or act. 'The city was paralyzed by the strike' is a perfect alternative to 'crippled'.

The fear of making a mistake paralyzed the young negotiator.

'Incapacitated' is a more formal and neutral term. It is often used in legal or medical contexts to describe someone who cannot perform their duties. It lacks the harshness of 'crippled' and is much more professional. 'Debilitated' is another excellent choice, especially when talking about the weakening effects of a disease or a long-term problem.

Incapacitated vs. Debilitated: Incapacitated means 'cannot function at all right now'. Debilitated means 'made very weak over time'.

The CEO was incapacitated by a sudden illness, leaving the company without a leader.

In technical contexts, 'disabled' is the standard term. You 'disable' a feature on your phone; you don't 'cripple' it. If a machine is broken, it is 'inoperable'. Using these precise terms makes your English sound more natural and technically accurate.

Disabled/Inoperable: Best for technology and machinery. Example: 'The security system was disabled by the intruders.'

The engine was rendered inoperable after the coolant leak.

The high cost of living has stifled economic growth in the region.

The project was stymied by a lack of clear communication.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

In the Middle Ages, the word 'cripple' was not necessarily an insult; it was a descriptive term for anyone with a physical impairment. The negative stigma grew over centuries as social attitudes toward disability changed.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈkrɪp.əld/

US /ˈkrɪp.əld/

First syllable: KRIP-pled

Rime avec

rippled tripled nippled tippled stippled coupled suppled dappled

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'cri-pelled'.
Missing the 'l' sound (saying 'kripped').
Adding an extra syllable at the end.
Pronouncing the 'i' as a long 'ee' sound.
Over-emphasizing the 'd' at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

Common in news and books, but requires understanding of metaphor.

Écriture 4/5

Must be careful with social sensitivity and choosing the right context.

Expression orale 4/5

Often replaced by 'paralyzed' or 'disabled' in natural speech.

Écoute 3/5

Clearly pronounced, but meaning depends on the object being described.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

damage broken stop system economy

Apprends ensuite

debilitate incapacitate paralyze stifle undermine

Avancé

vitiate atrophy stultify enervate hamstring

Grammaire à connaître

Passive Voice with 'By'

The system was crippled by the bug.

Participial Adjectives

The crippled economy struggled to recover.

Transitive Verb Usage

The strike crippled the factory.

Adverbial Modification

The project was effectively crippled.

Causative Meaning

The lack of rain crippled the crops.

Exemples par niveau

The big storm crippled the old bus.

La grande tempête a paralysé le vieux bus.

Simple past tense of 'cripple'.

The broken computer was crippled.

L'ordinateur cassé était paralysé.

Used as an adjective here.

A lack of water crippled the garden.

Le manque d'eau a paralysé le jardin.

Subject (lack of water) + verb + object.

The strike crippled the trains.

La grève a paralysé les trains.

Focus on the 'stopping' action.

The heavy snow crippled the city.

La neige abondante a paralysé la ville.

Common collocation: 'crippled the city'.

Bad news crippled his happy day.

Les mauvaises nouvelles ont gâché sa journée joyeuse.

Metaphorical use for a 'day'.

The virus crippled the laptop.

Le virus a paralysé l'ordinateur portable.

Technical use for software.

The fire crippled the factory.

L'incendie a paralysé l'usine.

Showing total loss of function.

The economic crisis crippled many small shops.

La crise économique a paralysé de nombreux petits magasins.

Describing economic impact.

The ship was crippled by the giant waves.

Le navire a été paralysé par les vagues géantes.

Passive voice: 'was crippled by'.

A power cut crippled the entire hospital.

Une coupure de courant a paralysé tout l'hôpital.

Describing systemic failure.

The team was crippled by the loss of their best player.

L'équipe a été paralysée par la perte de son meilleur joueur.

Metaphorical use in sports.

High prices crippled the family's budget.

Les prix élevés ont paralysé le budget de la famille.

Abstract use with 'budget'.

The bridge was crippled after the earthquake.

Le pont a été paralysé après le tremblement de terre.

Physical damage to infrastructure.

The software update crippled my phone's battery.

La mise à jour du logiciel a paralysé la batterie de mon téléphone.

Common informal hyperbole.

The drought crippled the corn harvest this year.

La sécheresse a paralysé la récolte de maïs cette année.

Agricultural context.

The airline was crippled by a series of technical glitches.

La compagnie aérienne a été paralysée par une série de problèmes techniques.

Passive voice with a complex cause.

The scandal crippled the company's reputation for years.

Le scandale a paralysé la réputation de l'entreprise pendant des années.

Metaphorical use for 'reputation'.

A sudden shortage of fuel crippled the transport industry.

Une soudaine pénurie de carburant a paralysé l'industrie du transport.

Economic/Industry context.

The project was crippled by a lack of clear leadership.

Le projet a été paralysé par un manque de leadership clair.

Abstract organizational use.

Sanctions have crippled the nation's ability to trade.

Les sanctions ont paralysé la capacité de la nation à commercer.

Political/Economic context.

The defense was crippled by several key injuries.

La défense a été paralysée par plusieurs blessures clés.

Sports context, referring to a 'unit'.

The new law effectively crippled the small business sector.

La nouvelle loi a effectivement paralysé le secteur des petites entreprises.

Adverb 'effectively' adds emphasis.

The computer network was crippled by a sophisticated worm.

Le réseau informatique a été paralysé par un ver sophistiqué.

Cybersecurity context.

The country's infrastructure was crippled by decades of neglect.

L'infrastructure du pays a été paralysée par des décennies de négligence.

Describing long-term decay.

The sudden resignation of the CEO crippled the merger negotiations.

La démission soudaine du PDG a paralysé les négociations de fusion.

Corporate context.

He was crippled by the fear that he would never succeed.

Il était paralysé par la peur de ne jamais réussir.

Emotional/Psychological use.

The strike crippled the city's waste management services.

La grève a paralysé les services de gestion des déchets de la ville.

Specific public service context.

The industry was crippled by the influx of cheap imports.

L'industrie a été paralysée par l'afflux d'importations bon marché.

Macroeconomic context.

The legal system is being crippled by a massive backlog of cases.

Le système judiciaire est en train d'être paralysé par un énorme retard de dossiers.

Present continuous passive.

The explosion crippled the submarine's propulsion system.

L'explosion a paralysé le système de propulsion du sous-marin.

Technical/Military context.

The charity was crippled by the loss of its primary benefactor.

L'association caritative a été paralysée par la perte de son principal bienfaiteur.

Non-profit context.

The central bank's policy has effectively crippled domestic lending.

La politique de la banque centrale a effectivement paralysé les prêts domestiques.

High-level economic analysis.

The research was crippled by the ethical controversies surrounding it.

La recherche a été paralysée par les controverses éthiques qui l'entouraient.

Academic/Ethical context.

A lack of transparency has crippled the public's trust in the government.

Un manque de transparence a paralysé la confiance du public envers le gouvernement.

Abstract sociological use.

The port was crippled by a combination of bad weather and labor disputes.

Le port a été paralysé par une combinaison de mauvais temps et de conflits sociaux.

Multiple causes listed.

The treaty was designed to ensure the enemy's military was crippled.

Le traité a été conçu pour s'assurer que l'armée de l'ennemi soit paralysée.

Strategic/Political context.

Her artistic career was crippled by a series of unfortunate lawsuits.

Sa carrière artistique a été paralysée par une série de poursuites judiciaires malheureuses.

Professional life context.

The ecosystem has been crippled by the introduction of invasive species.

L'écosystème a été paralysé par l'introduction d'espèces envahissantes.

Environmental/Scientific context.

The software's performance was crippled by inefficient coding practices.

Les performances du logiciel ont été paralysées par des pratiques de codage inefficaces.

Technical/Development context.

The empire was crippled not by external foes, but by internal decadence.

L'empire a été paralysé non pas par des ennemis extérieurs, mais par une décadence interne.

Historical/Philosophical analysis.

The philosopher argued that modern society is crippled by its own technological dependence.

Le philosophe a soutenu que la société moderne est paralysée par sa propre dépendance technologique.

Abstract philosophical context.

The poet spoke of a heart crippled by the weight of unrequited love.

Le poète a parlé d'un cœur paralysé par le poids d'un amour non partagé.

Literary/Poetic use.

The nation's intellectual life was crippled by the censorship of the regime.

La vie intellectuelle de la nation a été paralysée par la censure du régime.

Political/Cultural context.

The supply chain's fragility was crippled by a single point of failure.

La fragilité de la chaîne d'approvisionnement a été paralysée par un seul point de défaillance.

Systems engineering context.

The judicial system's integrity was crippled by systemic corruption.

L'intégrité du système judiciaire a été paralysée par une corruption systémique.

Legal/Sociopolitical context.

The economy was crippled by a hyperinflationary spiral that devalued the currency overnight.

L'économie a été paralysée par une spirale hyperinflationniste qui a dévalué la monnaie du jour au lendemain.

Advanced economic terminology.

The protagonist's psyche was crippled by the trauma of his childhood.

La psyché du protagoniste a été paralysée par le traumatisme de son enfance.

Psychological/Literary context.

Collocations courantes

crippled by debt

crippled the economy

crippled by fear

crippled the system

crippled the industry

crippled by sanctions

crippled by grief

crippled infrastructure

effectively crippled

permanently crippled

Phrases Courantes

crippling blow

crippling anxiety

crippling debt

crippling effect

crippling doubt

crippling cost

crippling strike

crippling shortage

crippling burden

crippling weakness

Souvent confondu avec

crippled vs hampered

Hampered means slowed down; crippled means stopped or severely disabled.

crippled vs injured

Injured is for physical wounds on living things; crippled focuses on the loss of function.

crippled vs disabled

Disabled is the preferred term for people and technology; crippled is more dramatic and metaphorical.

Expressions idiomatiques

"bring to its knees"

To cripple something or make it submit. It is a very similar metaphor.

The oil embargo brought the nation to its knees.

Idiomatic

"cut off at the knees"

To cripple someone's efforts or power suddenly.

The manager was cut off at the knees when his budget was slashed.

Informal

"dead in the water"

Something that is crippled and cannot move forward at all.

Without funding, the project is dead in the water.

Informal

"throw a wrench in the works"

To cause a problem that cripples a plan or machine.

His unexpected resignation threw a wrench in the works.

Informal

"grind to a halt"

To slow down and stop completely, often because of being crippled.

Production ground to a halt after the power failure.

Neutral

"clip someone's wings"

To limit someone's freedom or power, effectively crippling them.

The new regulations were intended to clip the company's wings.

Idiomatic

"hamstring someone"

To cripple or severely hinder someone's ability to act.

The committee was hamstrung by a lack of resources.

Idiomatic

"knock the wind out of"

To suddenly cripple someone's confidence or progress.

The bad news really knocked the wind out of our sails.

Idiomatic

"put a spoke in someone's wheel"

To interfere and cripple someone's plans.

He tried to put a spoke in my wheel by telling the boss.

Old-fashioned

"tie someone's hands"

To prevent someone from acting, effectively crippling them.

The contract ties my hands; I cannot change the price.

Idiomatic

Facile à confondre

crippled vs paralyzed

Both mean unable to move.

Paralyzed often implies a temporary or sudden state, while crippled can imply a more structural or permanent damage.

The city was paralyzed by the snow, but the economy was crippled by the war.

crippled vs debilitated

Both mean weakened.

Debilitated is often used for health or strength over time; crippled is more about the immediate loss of function.

He was debilitated by age, but his business was crippled by the lawsuit.

crippled vs maimed

Both relate to physical injury.

Maimed specifically refers to the loss of a limb or body part; crippled refers to the loss of the ability to use it.

The soldier was maimed in battle and left crippled.

crippled vs stifled

Both mean to stop something.

Stifled is about stopping growth or breath; crippled is about stopping function.

The heat stifled the plants, but the frost crippled them.

crippled vs undermined

Both mean to weaken.

Undermined is about weakening the foundation or base; crippled is about the resulting inability to work.

The scandal undermined his authority and eventually crippled his career.

Structures de phrases

The [Noun] was crippled by [Noun].

The city was crippled by the storm.

[Noun] crippled the [Noun].

The virus crippled the computer.

Crippled by [Noun], the [Noun] [Verb].

Crippled by debt, the company went bankrupt.

The [Noun] is effectively crippled.

The legal system is effectively crippled.

A [Adjective] [Noun] crippled the [Noun].

A sophisticated cyberattack crippled the network.

The [Noun] has been crippled for [Time].

The industry has been crippled for decades.

It was not [X] but [Y] that crippled the [Noun].

It was not war but corruption that crippled the empire.

The [Noun] remains crippled despite [Noun].

The economy remains crippled despite the new laws.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in journalism and formal writing; rare in polite casual speech regarding people.

Erreurs courantes

He is a crippled person. → He is a person with a disability.
Using 'crippled' for people is offensive in modern English.
The rain crippled my hair. → The rain ruined my hair.
'Crippled' is too strong for minor personal inconveniences.
The economy was crippled from the war. → The economy was crippled by the war.
We usually use 'by' to show the cause after 'crippled'.
I crippled my finger in the door. → I jammed/injured my finger in the door.
'Crippled' implies a total loss of function for a whole system, not just a small injury.
The car was crippled by a lack of gas. → The car ran out of gas.
'Crippled' implies damage, not just a temporary lack of fuel.

Astuces

Avoid People

Never use 'crippled' to describe a person with a disability. It is offensive and outdated. Use 'disabled' instead.

Use for Systems

The best way to use 'crippled' is for abstract systems like the economy, the internet, or a transport network.

Passive Voice

You will often see 'crippled' in the passive voice: 'The city was crippled by the strike.' This is very natural English.

Try 'Paralyzed'

If you are worried 'crippled' is too strong, 'paralyzed' is a great alternative that means almost the same thing metaphorically.

Debt and Fear

Remember the common phrases 'crippling debt' and 'crippled by fear'. These are very useful in essays and stories.

High Impact

Only use 'crippled' for big problems. A broken pencil doesn't cripple your homework, but a broken hand might.

Cybersecurity

In tech, 'crippled' is perfect for describing a network that has been totally shut down by a hack or virus.

Historical Context

When reading old books, you will see 'crippled' used for people. Understand the history, but don't copy that usage today.

Add 'Effectively'

Using 'effectively crippled' makes you sound more like a native speaker when describing a system that is still technically there but can't work.

Strong Verbs

Using 'crippled' instead of 'damaged' makes your writing more descriptive and powerful.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'CRIPPLED' system as one that has 'CRIPPLED' (cracked) its 'PLED' (ge) to work. It can no longer move forward.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant gear in a machine with a huge iron bar jammed into it. The machine is crippled; it's stuck and can't turn.

Word Web

Economy System Infrastructure Fear Debt Strike Damage Halt

Défi

Try to write three sentences about a fictional country where a natural disaster has crippled different parts of society (e.g., the schools, the roads, the banks).

Origine du mot

The word 'cripple' comes from the Old English 'crypel', which is related to the verb 'creopan', meaning 'to creep'. This reflects the historical idea of someone who has to crawl or creep because they cannot walk upright. It has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Middle Low German 'kröpel'.

Sens originel : A person or animal that creeps, crawls, or halts in walking.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Extremely sensitive when applied to people. Always use 'disabled' or 'person with a disability' instead. Use 'crippled' only for abstract systems or objects.

In the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, using 'cripple' for a person is a major social 'taboo'. It is often replaced by 'disabled' or 'person with a mobility impairment'.

The Cripple of Inishmaan (a play by Martin McDonagh) The 'crippling debt' crisis mentioned in many modern political speeches. Historical references to 'The Cripple' in older translations of the Bible or folk tales.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Economics

crippled the market
crippled by inflation
crippling debt
crippled growth

Technology

crippled the server
crippled by a virus
crippled the network
crippled software

Politics

crippled by sanctions
crippled the government
crippled the treaty
crippled by scandal

Nature/Disasters

crippled by the storm
crippled the infrastructure
crippled by the drought
crippled the city

Psychology

crippled by anxiety
crippled by fear
crippled by doubt
crippled by grief

Amorces de conversation

"Do you think the high cost of living has crippled the dreams of young people today?"

"Has a computer virus ever crippled your work or studies?"

"How can a city recover after its infrastructure has been crippled by a natural disaster?"

"Do you believe that fear of failure has crippled many people's potential?"

"What are some ways a company can survive if its main product is crippled by competition?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time when you felt 'crippled by indecision'. What was the choice you had to make?

Write about a fictional world where a single event crippled all technology. How would people live?

Discuss the impact of 'crippling debt' on a person's mental health and future opportunities.

Reflect on how the meaning of the word 'crippled' has changed over time and why that matters.

Analyze a news story where a system was crippled. What were the causes and the consequences?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

When used to describe a person, yes, it is considered offensive. When used to describe an economy or a computer system, it is a standard, though very strong, descriptive word.

You can, but it sounds very dramatic. It's better to say your phone is 'broken' or 'not working'. Use 'crippled' if a virus has destroyed the entire operating system.

They are very similar. 'Paralyzed' is often used for a sudden stop (like traffic), while 'crippled' often implies more severe, long-lasting damage (like an economy).

Yes, 'crippling' is often used as an adjective, such as in 'crippling debt' or 'a crippling blow'.

Use 'person with a disability' or 'disabled person'. Avoid 'cripple' or 'crippled' entirely in this context.

Yes, in technology, it refers to software that has important features disabled until you buy the full version.

It was used historically, but 'injured' or 'disabled' is more common and kinder today.

Words like 'functioning', 'healthy', 'robust', or 'strengthened' can be opposites depending on the context.

Because it is a very strong word that grabs attention and emphasizes how serious a problem is.

Yes, it is generally considered a B1 (Intermediate) level word because of its common use in news and media.