C2adjectivemoneybusiness
US/ˈkrɪp.lɪŋ/
UK/ˈkrɪp.lɪŋ/
so serious or heavy that it causes great damage or stops something working properly
In context
Many graduates in the US start their careers with crippling student debt.
The power cuts had a crippling effect on factories in the north last summer.
Crippling interest rates forced the family to sell their land.
Words that go with crippling
adjective + noun
- crippling debtCrippling debt pushed the airline into bankruptcy.
- crippling effectThe sanctions had a crippling effect on trade.
- crippling costsSmall shops face crippling costs from rising rent.
- crippling shortageHospitals are dealing with a crippling shortage of nurses.
- crippling strikeA crippling strike closed the port for a week.