as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the debilitation that all the prisoners of war had experienced during their captivity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor
attributed the patient's general debilitation to an iron deficiency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitate
Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
The five-time Grammy winner revealed in late 2022 that she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause debilitating muscle spasms.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Celine Dion has not yet fully re-emerged from her three-year battle with debilitating Stiff-Person Syndrome.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
With a doctorate from Cornell University and participation in multiple research communities, Vogel, 39, has a rare perspective on the debilitating condition that impacts millions worldwide.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Verb
Listen to this article A UConn professor and researcher who 28 years ago discovered a gene for a protein that limits human muscle growth is closer than ever to having that work play a significant role in treating those with debilitating spinal muscular atrophy.
—Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2025
The five-time Grammy winner revealed in late 2022 that she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause debilitating muscle spasms.
—Marina Watts, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Celine Dion has not yet fully re-emerged from her three-year battle with debilitating Stiff-Person Syndrome.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 Mar. 2025
With a doctorate from Cornell University and participation in multiple research communities, Vogel, 39, has a rare perspective on the debilitating condition that impacts millions worldwide.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
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More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
One way that could happen would be for foreign countries to weaken their currency to make the same product cheaper in dollars for tariff purposes, without raising the end cost to the consumer.—
Brendan Coffey,
Sportico.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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As leaders in the industry who have spent countless hours underground repairing failing gas lines, our licensed gas contractors have witnessed firsthand the deterioration of our state’s natural gas infrastructure.—
Harley Flack,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2025
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Not spending enough time in the two deep stages of slumber might speed up the deterioration of parts of the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease, a new study found.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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The dollar strengthened after days of weakness, and oil rose back above $60, starting to climb out of a danger zone.—
Ben Berkowitz,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Bookings are already softening from corporate and leisure customers, especially in domestic markets, although according to Delta, premium and international demand remains strong so far.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Add roast and cook until well browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to slow cooker. Reduce heat to medium and add onions to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In that moment of grief and exhaustion, something shifted.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Breast cancer survivor Julie Swallow, 56, initially chalked up her exhaustion to being overworked.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
-
According to this view, the outside world has been generous to Africa, providing substantial aid in recent decades, leaving no excuse for the continent’s debility.—
Howard W. French,
Foreign Affairs,
16 June 2015
Noun
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Regardless, that doesn’t stop many doctors, fitness professionals, and physical therapists from recommending Epsom salts in the treatment of muscle pain and fatigue.—
Alice Nardiotti,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
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You might be hit with severe fatigue, a fever and chills, a pounding headache, or an upset stomach.—
Alisa Hrustic,
SELF,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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