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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Recent Examples of debilitate
May 18, 2025 Surgeons in Southern California have performed the first human bladder transplant, introducing a new, potentially life-changing procedure for people with debilitating bladder conditions.
—
Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 18 May 2025
This designation is granted to medical devices that have the potential to provide improved treatment for debilitating or life-threatening conditions.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 June 2025
The stone breaks into sharp particles that, when airborne, can become trapped in lung tissue and cause a debilitating, sometimes fatal condition.
—Taylor Sisk, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Pryor was a savant at polishing his challenging circumstances and debilitating neuroses into crowd-pleasing material, and this is broadly how he’s remembered in comedy history.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Emily Baumgaertner Nunn, New York Times, 18 May 2025
This designation is granted to medical devices that have the potential to provide improved treatment for debilitating or life-threatening conditions.
—Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 2 June 2025
The stone breaks into sharp particles that, when airborne, can become trapped in lung tissue and cause a debilitating, sometimes fatal condition.
—Taylor Sisk, CNN Money, 26 May 2025
Pryor was a savant at polishing his challenging circumstances and debilitating neuroses into crowd-pleasing material, and this is broadly how he’s remembered in comedy history.
—Vulture Staff, Vulture, 23 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
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Since then, a series of shifts has reshaped the Middle East and weakened Iran and its proxies, the war in Gaza, Israel's decimation of the leadership of Hezbollah in Lebanon, the collapse of the Syrian regime, and now Israel's surprise attack.—
/ CBS News,
CBS News,
15 June 2025
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Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, larger and sooner cuts are possible.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Verb
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The experience of caring for another living creature has been found to soften inmates’ anger, allowing some to experience warmth and affection for the first time in their lives.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 June 2025
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In European competition, Postecoglou softened his principles and played functional football.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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