Enable vs. Disable: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Published on December 28, 2023
To enable means to make something operational or possible, while to disable means to render it inoperative or impossible.
Difference Between Enable and Disable
Enable and disable, two antonyms, mark the difference between setting in motion and halting. When one enables something, they are essentially granting it the power or capacity to function or be active. Conversely, to disable something means taking away its ability to operate or work. It's like the turning on and off of a switch.
Muazma Batool
Dec 28, 2023
From a technological perspective, enable often relates to software features or device functions. A user might enable Wi-Fi on their smartphone to connect to the internet. However, when the same user wishes to save battery or prevent connection, they would disable the Wi-Fi. It's a simple act of activating or deactivating a function.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 28, 2023
In a broader, non-technical context, enable can refer to giving someone the resources, knowledge, or opportunity to do something. For instance, scholarships enable students to pursue higher education without financial burden. On the flip side, a lack of resources or obstacles can disable individuals from achieving certain goals or activities.
Muazma Batool
Dec 28, 2023
In essence, the realm of possibilities and functionalities is governed by these two verbs. While to enable is to empower or permit, to disable is to obstruct or restrain. They essentially stand at two ends of the spectrum of action and inaction.
Jonathan
Dec 28, 2023
Enable vs. Disable Comparison Chart
Definition
To make possible or operational.
To render inoperative or impossible.
Muazma Batool
Dec 28, 2023
Enable vs. Disable Definitions
◉Disable
To invalidate or nullify.
The agreement will disable any prior contracts.
Muazma Batool
Sep 15, 2023
◉Enable
To supply with the means, knowledge, or opportunity (to do something); make able
a hole in the fence that enabled us to watch.
techniques that enable surgeons to repair the heart.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To make feasible or possible
funds that will enable construction of new schools.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To deprive of capability or effectiveness, especially to impair the physical abilities of.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To give legal power, capacity, or sanction to
a law enabling a new federal agency.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To make operational; activate
enabled the computer's modem.
enable a nuclear warhead.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
(transitive) To render unable; to take away an ability of, as by crippling.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To behave in a manner that facilitates or supports (another's abusive, addictive, or self-destructive behavior).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To impair the physical or mental abilities of; to cause a serious, permanent injury.
Falling off the horse disabled him.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To make somebody able (to do, or to be, something); to give sufficient ability or power to do or to be; to give strength or ability to.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To deactivate, to make inoperational (especially of a function of an electronic or mechanical device).
The pilot had to disable the autopilot of his airplane.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To qualify or approve for some role or position; to render sanction or authorization to; to confirm suitability for.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To yield the opportunity or provide the possibility for something; to provide with means, opportunities, and the like.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To render unable or incapable; to destroy the force, vigor, or power of action of; to deprive of competent physical or intellectual power; to incapacitate; to disqualify; to make incompetent or unfit for service; to impair.
A Christian's life is a perpetual exercise, a wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure disables him.
And had performed it, if my known offenseHad not disabled me.
I have disabled mine estate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To imply or tacitly confer excuse for an action or a behavior.
His parents enabled him to go on buying drugs.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable.
An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and disables his children to inherit.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
(electronics) To put a circuit element into action by supplying a suitable input pulse.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to undervalue.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To activate, to make operational (especially of a function of an electronic or mechanical device).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
make unable to perform a certain action;
disable this command on your computer
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To give strength or ability to; to make firm and strong.
Receive the Holy Ghost, said Christ to his apostles, when he enabled them with priestly power.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To make able (to do, or to be, something); to confer sufficient power upon; to furnish with means, opportunities, and the like; to render competent for; to empower; to endow.
Temperance gives Nature her full play, and enables her to exert herself in all her force and vigor.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Disable
To hinder or obstruct.
Lack of funds can disable important projects.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
◉Enable
render capable or able for some task;
This skill will enable you to find a job on Wall Street
The rope enables you to secure yourself when you climb the mountain
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Enable
To give power or ability to.
The training will enable him to perform the task.
Lucas
Sep 15, 2023
Enable vs. Disable Frequently Asked Questions
Can enabling something be negative?
While often positive, enabling can be negative, as in enabling bad behavior.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 28, 2023
Is disabling always about technology?
No, disabling can refer to any hindrance or obstruction, not just technological.
Jonathan
Dec 28, 2023
How do I know when to enable or disable a function?
It depends on whether you want the function active (enable) or inactive (disable).
William
Dec 28, 2023
How is disable different from enable?
Disable means to turn off or make something inoperative, while enable means to turn on or make something operational.
Muazma Batool
Dec 28, 2023
Can someone be enabled or disabled?
Yes, a person can be enabled with tools or resources, or disabled due to limitations.
Muazma Batool
Dec 28, 2023
Are enable and disable opposites?
Yes, they are antonyms, meaning they have opposite implications.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 28, 2023
In what contexts are enable and disable most commonly used?
They are often used in technology, but also in contexts of empowerment and restrictions.
Kaitlyn
Dec 28, 2023
What does it mean to enable a feature?
It means to activate or turn on that particular feature.
Muneeza Rehman
Dec 28, 2023
Can something be both enabled and disabled?
Not simultaneously, but something can be enabled at one time and disabled at another.
Olivia
Dec 28, 2023
Why might someone disable a software feature?
For reasons like security, simplicity, or performance optimization.
Leo
Dec 28, 2023
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Comparisons.wiki, Muneeza skillfully navigates the vast sea of information, ensuring clarity and accuracy as the lead content editor. With a keen eye for detail, she curates every comparison to enlighten and engage readers.
Edited by
Muazma BatoolAs a content editor, Muazma Batool is not just a grammar guru but a creative mastermind who breathes life into every word. With an eagle eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she transforms bland text into engaging content that captivates audiences and drives results.
