cause severe and disabling damage to; deprive of the ability to function normally

developing countries are crippled by their debts

he was crippled by self-doubt during his career

interest rates rose to a crippling 13 per cent

cause (someone) to become physically disabled as a result of a health condition or injury, especially of the back or legs

a young student was crippled for life

a person with a severe limitation of a specified kind

an emotional cripple

a person who is physically disabled as a result of a health condition or injury, especially of the back or legs