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
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
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
-
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
-
Should the economy unexpectedly weaken, larger and sooner cuts are possible.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes.com,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
They are then transported to the Berkhamsted conservation center, where their condition is examined for deterioration.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Nationwide, the ramifications of deportation for these key citizens will affect all of us, which can lead to deterioration of our healthcare system, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health aides, etc.—
Rachel Blumberg,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
And the weakness is extending to other travel industry forecasts, like hotels.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
-
Potential symptoms include insomnia, muscle cramps, constipation, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, personality changes and heart arrhythmias, experts say.—
Amy McGorry,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2025
Verb
-
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
-
In European competition, Postecoglou softened his principles and played functional football.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
With ubiquity came a degree of creative exhaustion.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
6 June 2025
-
Their temporary electronic face tattoo, or e-tattoo, can read brain waves and not only detect when the ol' gray matter is overworked, but also predict when exhaustion is approaching.—
Paul McClure
May 29,
New Atlas,
29 May 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
-
One showed camouflage fatigues worn by a Colombian fighter festooned with patches that include the flag of Ukraine.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2025
-
The long day and possible fatigue come game time didn’t matter.—
Emma Moon,
Charlotte Observer,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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