as in disabled
deprived of the power to perform one or more natural bodily activities
won a gold medal in the Paralympics, an international Olympic competition for the differently abled
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Recent Examples of differently abled
With Children, director Randa Haines managed to break new ground for representation and set new standards for authentic filmmaking, while tackling deeply complex issues of identity and the differently abled’s place in society.
—
John Ortved, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2025
Holy Angels is a nonprofit organization that employs differently abled individuals and puts the profits from its businesses back into supporting people with disabilities.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2025
For Lamb, meaningful inclusion means building systems that support both the gifted and the differently abled.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
This is a president who, while campaigning for his first term in office, imitated the arm motions of a New York Times reporter who is differently abled.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
Though some employees are differently abled or require more help than others, Alyse said they are held to the same standards — high ones, as is evident to anyone who dines at Freeland’s.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2025
Adopting Ash showed Isom, of Houston, Texas, that there are many other cats out there who are differently abled but still deserve to be loved.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Its wellness pool has a ramp for wheelchairs to encourage differently abled to make the most of these soothing waters, which provide relief to tired joints and muscles or nurture sensitive skin.
—Savannah Romero, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2023
The nonprofit also glommed onto the fact that technology trials for sortation and other forms of preparation must be a priority because many of its employees are differently abled, meaning that adaptations will need to be made.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
John Ortved, Vogue, 28 Nov. 2025
Holy Angels is a nonprofit organization that employs differently abled individuals and puts the profits from its businesses back into supporting people with disabilities.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2025
For Lamb, meaningful inclusion means building systems that support both the gifted and the differently abled.
—Jennifer Jay Palumbo, Forbes.com, 6 May 2025
This is a president who, while campaigning for his first term in office, imitated the arm motions of a New York Times reporter who is differently abled.
—Megha Satyanarayana, Scientific American, 28 Mar. 2025
Though some employees are differently abled or require more help than others, Alyse said they are held to the same standards — high ones, as is evident to anyone who dines at Freeland’s.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2025
Adopting Ash showed Isom, of Houston, Texas, that there are many other cats out there who are differently abled but still deserve to be loved.
—Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 27 Jan. 2025
Its wellness pool has a ramp for wheelchairs to encourage differently abled to make the most of these soothing waters, which provide relief to tired joints and muscles or nurture sensitive skin.
—Savannah Romero, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2023
The nonprofit also glommed onto the fact that technology trials for sortation and other forms of preparation must be a priority because many of its employees are differently abled, meaning that adaptations will need to be made.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for differently abled
Adjective
-
The Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program primarily helps tax filers with incomes below $69,000, those who are disabled and those who are not proficient in English.—
Jeanne Sahadi,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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Menasche believes the lot, which is only open overnight, is an ineffective offering, especially for disabled and low-income individuals who may not be able to afford the gas required to drive in and out every day.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
These substances pose significant risks to minors, including impaired judgment and thinking, and should not be present in environments dedicated to education.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention reports that exposure to chlorine, a flame retardant, at 60 micrograms per gram for 60 minutes or more through inhalation can lead to lung irritation and impaired function.—
Aude Konan,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Differently abled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/differently%20abled. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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