debilitating

adjective

de·​bil·​i·​tat·​ing di-ˈbi-lə-ˌtā-tiŋ 

dē-

: causing serious impairment of strength or ability to function

debilitating pain

a debilitating fear of public speaking

a debilitating illness

Thirty years have passed since a vaccine wiped out polio, but some of those who conquered the debilitating disease as children are now experiencing symptoms that seem all too familiar.

—Fay Knicely

Several of these drugs are now in clinical testing to determine whether they can reduce or eliminate the debilitating nausea suffered by cancer patients on chemotherapy.

—Ron Cowen

debilitatingly adverb

Debilitatingly asthmatic as a child, Scarfe developed his talent while amusing himself and acquired the cynicism for authority that empowers his … drawings and sculpture during many frightening encounters with medical incompetence.

—Ray Olson

Did you know?

The verb debilitate (and its adjective form debilitating) comes from the Latin word for "weak," debilis. Often used of disease—as in, "the patient was debilitated"—it can also suggest something that strikes like a disease or illness, "the actor was debilitated by stage fright." In sum, the word suggests a temporary impairment or a condition of weakness and helplessness.

Examples of debilitating in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Humanitarian organizations have consistently reported a debilitating lack of water, food, medical care, vital hygiene supplies and other essentials reaching the territory's uprooted population, many of whom have been forced to relocate several times. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Emotional dysregulation has traditionally been overlooked as one of the most debilitating aspects of ADHD and has resulted in people being misdiagnosed with conditions like depression and anxiety. —New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2024

In fact, a migraine is classified as a debilitating neurological disease that can cause a variety of symptoms, like light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, smell sensitivity, nausea, vomiting and more. —Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 16 Dec. 2024

On top of that, Barenboim has been suffering from a debilitating neurological disease that has sapped much of his strength. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

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