1
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
overuse has devitalized many a once-striking figure of speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
she was devitalized by the infection
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devitalize
This can devitalize the plant to the point of it starting to die back.
—
oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2023
Miller’s writing début may have been precipitated by her assault, but the final work devitalizes its horrific beginnings.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2019
His lip was completely destroyed with multiple linear lacerations, jagged lacerations, devitalized tissue, denervated tissue with a 12 cm laceration in multiple pieces of the entire left upper lift, the mucosal surface, and orbicularis.
—Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, 1 June 2017
oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2023
Miller’s writing début may have been precipitated by her assault, but the final work devitalizes its horrific beginnings.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2019
His lip was completely destroyed with multiple linear lacerations, jagged lacerations, devitalized tissue, denervated tissue with a 12 cm laceration in multiple pieces of the entire left upper lift, the mucosal surface, and orbicularis.
—Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, 1 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devitalize
Verb
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The liberation of the leaves will undermine the black-market trade and reduce deforestation by freeing for cultivation lands long ago cleared and abandoned.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
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Without them, distrust and disrespect undermine the actions.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But that progress stalled out around the turn of the year, which weakened the case for further rate cuts and ultimately prompted the Fed to stand pat in January.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
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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
Verb
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Until then, the negative effects of import taxes such as rising unemployment and a slowing economy will drain trillions of dollars from the revenues the administration hopes to raise.—
Howard Gleckman,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Former President Joe Biden drained the reserve of more than 40% of its capacity when gas prices reached record highs, averaging more than $5 a gallon across the U.S. in June 2022.—
Dan McCaleb | The Center Square,
The Washington Examiner,
7 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
Verb
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His aunt is exhausted, unsteady on her feet, her eyes red.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
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The game lasts about two minutes in total before the AI calls it a day, exhausted from generating the worst gaming experience possible.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The protests specifically targeted the rapid downsizing and cuts to waste in the federal government.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Apr. 2025
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But while the fine dining scene is flourishing, the everyday staples still tell a story of hardship, frugality, and a desire to waste nothing.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Some three-dimensional metallic roses grew on their shiny reflective surfaces, with an important symbolism that served as a fit rouge for the entire collection: as fragile objects suddenly petrified, their hardened fragility was the designer’s own.—
Giorgia Feroldi,
Vogue,
1 Mar. 2025
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He was petrified by the thought of dying of cancer or some other disease whose senselessness disgusted him.—
Ian Buruma,
The New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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This relationship, when successful, tends to enervate mediating institutions that thwart the immediate desires of both the populist leader and the public.—
Cameron Hilditch,
National Review,
28 Feb. 2021
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The saving grace of this often enervating thriller is that Doscher grants time for his actors to build character and intimacy, and both Pinto and Odom offer warm, affectingly natural performances as two people facing the end of their world.—
Teo Bugbee,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Devitalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devitalize. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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