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

In his short time since arriving, Sands had helped his team remain tough to beat, in spite of a debilitating injury list, while also allowing the intricacy of the attacking football to improve. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025

In a Reddit post shared Wednesday, Feb. 5, a user explained how a debilitating illness kept her from celebrating her wedding day with not just her family and friends, but most importantly, her husband. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

But once fears become debilitating or impair daily function, they can be classified as a phobia or anxiety disorder, said Thomas Ollendick, University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Virginia Tech, who is known for his work with children and adolescents. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025

This is a surprisingly common qualm and can be quite debilitating. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined above

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