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
Sally Ventura
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Some of those viruses and bacteria are harmful to humans, causing diseases that can be debilitating and sometimes lethal without treatment, such as Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
—Sean Lawrence, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
These resources enable them to better cope with stress, viewing work demands as challenges to be overcome rather than debilitating threats.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
True to the nature of someone who played through debilitating foot injuries throughout his career, Greenwood did not inform family of his illness until the end of his life.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Verb
By 4:45 pm, the National Guard brought a tank to rescue the victims, including Herbert Elmore, who survived, albeit with life-long debilitating injuries.
—Sally Ventura
june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Some of those viruses and bacteria are harmful to humans, causing diseases that can be debilitating and sometimes lethal without treatment, such as Lyme, babesiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
—Sean Lawrence, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
These resources enable them to better cope with stress, viewing work demands as challenges to be overcome rather than debilitating threats.
—Ellen Choi, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
True to the nature of someone who played through debilitating foot injuries throughout his career, Greenwood did not inform family of his illness until the end of his life.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
-
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 86 years-old and his political power is weakened following the short war with Israel.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
9 July 2025
-
The first-quarter boom in U.S. trade is weakening, with merchandise trade somewhat atypically declining for the second straight month, according to my analysis of the the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
With deterioration continuing, a 2014 study recommended the entire span be replaced.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Corrosion is one of the leading causes of conventional RC infrastructure deterioration, often requiring extensive repairs and maintenance.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Angela, a choir director and family history consultant for her local church, was first hospitalized on March 6 complaining of dizziness and weakness.—
Christine Pelisek,
People.com,
15 July 2025
-
The weakness could be due to the new 30% tariffs that President Donald Trump threatened against the European Union and Mexico over the weekend.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
By then, Trump had softened his tariff stance and the markets had rebounded accordingly.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
-
On the campaign trail, the president spent time courting faith leaders throughout the country, often refusing to soften his language in those venues as well.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
The result can feel like exhaustion, even when the change is welcome.—
Inga Bielińska,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
Just three years ago, voters recalled District Attorney Chesa Boudin, amid mounting exhaustion with progressive criminal justice policies.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
-
President Biden’s troubles — lingering inflation, wars and rumors of wars, his debility — could have benefited any Republican.—
David Harsanyi,
National Review,
25 Jan. 2024
Noun
-
There is excitement and motivation, but also fatigue, irritability and unexpected stress.—
Inga Bielińska,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
During this phase, people with migraines often develop symptoms that are characteristic and recognizable, like dizziness, fatigue, difficulty focusing, sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia), neck pain and stiffness before the onset of actual head pain, Pavlovic explains.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Flow Space,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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