stultify
UK: ˈstʌltɪfaɪ | US: ˈstʌltɪfaɪ
vt. to cause to appear foolish or absurd
vt. to render useless or ineffective
vt. (law) to allege or prove incapacity (of a person)
stultify = stult<foolish> + ify<make>
- stult (from Latin stultus, meaning "foolish")
- ify (verb-forming suffix from Latin -ificare, meaning "to make")
Etymology Origin:
The word stultify originates from Latin stultus (foolish) combined with the suffix -ify, which means "to make." It entered English in the 18th century, initially used in legal contexts to describe rendering someone legally incompetent. Over time, it broadened to mean making something appear foolish or ineffective. The progression reflects a shift from literal incapacity to metaphorical uselessness.
Repetitive tasks can stultify creativity.
His condescending tone stultified her enthusiasm.
The outdated law stultifies progress in the industry.
The judge ruled to stultify the defendant’s claim.
Bureaucratic red tape often stultifies innovation.