crippling

1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of cripple

comparative more crippling · superlative most crippling

1. That cripples or incapacitates

   crippling depression

2. Causing a severe and insurmountable problem; detrimental.

   The high cost of capital has a crippling effect on many small firms.

   1 more example

   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 28, “Notes and News: Restoring the Festiniog Railway”, in Railway Magazine, page 288

3. Causing serious injuries, damage, or harm; damaging.

   crippling debt

   1 more example

   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

plural cripplings

1. countableuncountableThe act by which somebody or something is crippled.