as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
the long, stressful days and sleepless nights gradually etiolated him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of etiolate
Some etiolated form of what might be called Ledeenism lingered on before taking on new life at the outset of the Trump administration.
—
Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020
Jacob Heilbrunn, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for etiolate
Verb
-
When leaders visibly adjust decisions based on input, silence weakens.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Wet wipes contain alcohol and chemicals that strip natural oils, damage materials like leather, and weaken shoe adhesives.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Speaking with reporters before heading to Switzerland, the president showed no sign of softening his approach to the Greenland issue.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
These berries often soften after a freeze, too, helping birds survive even during late winter.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But waste diversion rates — the amount of garbage being recycled instead of dumped in landfills — remain stubbornly low.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
So some of that fancy technology is going to waste.—
Camila Domonoske,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Etiolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/etiolate. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
