debilitate 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt How to pronounce debilitate (audio)
Definition of debilitatenext
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

debilitation

2 of 2

noun

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

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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

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debilitate
Verb
While some of my physical issues have improved over time and with treatment, others — like tinnitus, constant sinus pain and pressure, shortness of breath, joint pain, migraine headaches, and debilitating fatigue — continue to dictate nearly every aspect of my life. — Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2025 However, some observers are split on whether the aid block, which is undoubtedly a blow, will be debilitating. — Ellie Cook, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 The result was the grotesque spectacle of people increasingly debilitated by starvation and disease doing hard physical labor for wages that were not sufficient to keep their families alive. — Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025 Throughout her more than 15 years in the spotlight, Gaga, 38, has been candid about her struggles with mental health, substance abuse and debilitating chronic pain. — Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
  1. weaken
  2. deterioration
  3. weakness
  4. soften
  5. exhaustion
  6. debility
  7. fatigue
Verb
  • His health weakened by overwork and physical ailments, McCombs spent much of the last months of his life under medical care.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The doctor added that recovery would best continue away from the hospital, where exposure to viruses risks weakening the Holy Father's condition.
    — Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
Definition of weaken
Noun
  • Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.
    — Ydanis Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • At the same time, there are growing signs of weakness.
    — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Kostin also warned that the current macroeconomic environment points to weakness in the IPO market.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of weakness
Verb
  • Reduce heat to medium, and cook, uncovered, until vegetables soften slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The data, released by the Census Bureau, will offer a look at how Americans spent their money during a month in which consumer confidence was softening amid tariff uncertainty.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025
Definition of soften
Noun
  • Are Too Many Priorities Making Work More Stressful? Trying to solve everything at once leads to exhaustion and inaction.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Social media fatigue has risen in recent years, studies show, as mindless scrolling leads to mental exhaustion.
    — Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 Mar. 2025
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • 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
Definition of debility
Noun
  • As Hakeem Jeffries treks to Los Angeles for a big-ticket fundraiser, a number of Hollywood donors are staying on the sidelines out of fatigue, frustration and even fear over the ability of the Democratic party to stand up to Donald Trump.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Insufficient levels of these minerals are associated with a range of hangover symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, and drowsiness.
    — Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of fatigue

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“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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