as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor
our grandmother's debility is due in large part to her advanced age
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debility
And, when pets suffered from cancer or heart failure or debility, conversations about what to do next were emotional but often straightforward.
—
Sunita Puri,
New Yorker,
6 June 2026
His trajectory is one of softening, from the swaggering knight of the opening to the irrepressible lover of the second act to his final physical debility.
—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
In Will There Ever Be Another You, the main character struggles with an illness similar to long COVID, descending into a state of debility and psychosis as readers experience the chaos of her unraveling life.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
26 Sep. 2025
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
Given their ages and debilities, these soldiers had been deemed unfit for active service.
—
David Grann,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2023
The Covid-19 pandemic has driven widespread debility, whether a result of distress or the virus itself, compounded in either case by political abandonment and public health failures.
—
Natalie Shure,
The New Republic,
8 Dec. 2022
Sunita Puri,
New Yorker,
6 June 2026
His trajectory is one of softening, from the swaggering knight of the opening to the irrepressible lover of the second act to his final physical debility.
—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
In Will There Ever Be Another You, the main character struggles with an illness similar to long COVID, descending into a state of debility and psychosis as readers experience the chaos of her unraveling life.
—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
26 Sep. 2025
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
Given their ages and debilities, these soldiers had been deemed unfit for active service.
—
David Grann,
The New Yorker,
28 Feb. 2023
The Covid-19 pandemic has driven widespread debility, whether a result of distress or the virus itself, compounded in either case by political abandonment and public health failures.
—
Natalie Shure,
The New Republic,
8 Dec. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debility
Noun
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The weakness that began in technology stocks spread through Asia and Europe on Tuesday, while precious metals also came under pressure as investors reassessed the path of interest rates.
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When the complex was being constructed, there were deviations from the building’s original design, contributing to structural weaknesses, the report said.
Noun
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Like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed fighting to exhaustion, the two aging legends will look to do the same with a round-of-16 spot on the line.
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That gap between outward performance and inward exhaustion is what causes many owners to question their own judgment.
Noun
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In an interview with Mental Floss, competitive eater Yasir Salem discusses how speed eaters will chew gum to strengthen their jaws to avoid fatigue during competitions.
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Fifty years later, his military haircut glistens with silver from a lifetime serving in fatigues.
Noun
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As Kasubhai observed, despite its legal feebleness, Kennedy’s declaration and its explicit threat has had a concrete impact on the provision of gender-affirming services to American youths.
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Signs of disease include warts on legs, crusty or swollen eyes, feebleness, a ruffled appearance, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, and diarrhea.
Noun
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The cases were said to be in people with significant underlying health conditions, including organ and immune system dysfunction, as well as debilitation.
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Nobody wants to watch a loved one endure the pain, debilitation, and loss of independence that can follow a serious fall.
Cite this Entry
“Debility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debility. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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