Crippling Meaning
/krˈɪpəlɪŋ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbpresent participle and gerund of cripple
adjThat cripples or incapacitates
"crippling depression"
adjCausing a severe and insurmountable problem; detrimental.
"The high cost of capital has a crippling effect on many small firms."
"The company, appreciating the crippling affect ^([sic]) that this scheme will have on its activities unless the railway is diverted, has petitioned against the North Wales Hydro-Electric Power Bill at present before the House of Lords."— 1955 April 26, “Notes and News: Restoring the Festiniog Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 288:
adjCausing serious injuries, damage, or harm; damaging.
"crippling debt"
"Today, the world is seeing record-shattering storms in California and catastrophic drought in places like East Africa. But by the 2030s, as temperatures rise, climate hazards are expected to increase all over the globe as different countries face more crippling heat waves, worsening coastal flooding and crop failures, the report says."— 2023 March 20, Brad Plumer, “Climate Change Is Speeding Toward Catastrophe. The Next Decade Is Crucial, U.N. Panel Says.”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 30 Mar 2023:
nounThe act by which somebody or something is crippled.
Sentence Examples
The devaluation of the currency dealt a crippling blow to the nation's economy.
The people of Gaza are living under a crippling blockade.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The factory faced ____ debt after the loan payments and lost contracts stacked up.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The devaluation of the currency dealt a ____ blow to the nation's economy.
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The factory faced ____ debt after the loan payments and lost contracts stacked up.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The devaluation of the currency dealt a ____ blow to the nation's economy.