enervate

1 of 3

adjective

ener·​vate i-ˈnər-vət 

: lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor : enervated

enervate

2 of 3

verb

en·​er·​vate ˈe-nər-ˌvāt 

enervated; enervating

transitive verb

1

: to reduce the mental or moral vigor of

a government enervated by corruption

2

: to lessen the vitality or strength of

Heat enervates people.

enervatingly

ˈe-nər-ˌvā-tiŋ-lē 

adverb

enervation

ˌe-nər-ˈvā-shən 

noun

enervation

3 of 3

noun

en·​er·​va·​tion ˌenə(r)ˈvāshən 

plural -s

1

: the act or action of enervating

2

: the quality or state of being enervated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between enervate and innervate?

Enervate and innervate are pronounced in a very similar manner and share the Latin root nervus (meaning "sinew"), but they are distinct in meaning. Enervate (as a verb) means "to lessen the vitality or strength of," while innervate means "to supply with nerves."

What is the difference between enervate and energize?

Enervate has the twin misfortune of sharing a beginning with energize and an ending with invigorate, causing many people to assume that it must overlap with these two words in meaning. However, it is roughly the opposite, meaning "to lessen the vitality or strength of." This is a common mistake, but has not yet become so common as to be accepted.

Can enervate be an adjective?

Yes, enervate can function as an adjective, with the meaning of "lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor." An example of such adjectival use can be found in the poem Ode to Drowshood, by Charles G. D. Roberts: "In fervid sunshine, where the Javan palm stirs, scarce awakened from its odorous calm by the enervate wind…."

Synonyms of enervate

Verb

• undermine
• weaken
• exhaust
• drain
• deaden
• petrify

Choose the Right Synonym for enervate

unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.

unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

enervate suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure

unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Examples of enervate in a Sentence

Verb

a lifetime of working in dreary jobs had enervated his very soul

the surgery really enervated me for weeks afterwards

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The impact of that shocking final scene is sufficient to send viewers out feeling enervated after what’s been a pretty desultory final act. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026

Campbell, the North Carolina folk singer, describes an enervating process marked by back-and-forth exchanges and lots of waiting. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

Jenny deflected me with enervating ease. —Literary Hub, 13 Mar. 2026

The results are often enervating though sometimes clumsy. —Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026

This may reframe his friend’s enervating habit. —Hope Hunt, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026

Some of these values—such as a disciplined commitment to physical fitness—are good and, in my opinion, necessary correctives to the enervating distractions of 21st-century living. —Dan Brooks, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025

Bears do not truly hibernate, but instead enervate, or enter a state of torpor, in their dens. —Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 25 Sep. 2025

Looming over all of it has been the sad, enervating situation with Alexander Isak, forever enshrined as a club legend by dint of Wembley last season but now beyond the point of tarnishing that legacy. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin enervatus, past participle of enervare, from e- + nervus sinew — more at nerve

Noun

Late Latin enervation-, enervatio, from Latin enervatus + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Adjective

1603, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

enervate

verb

en·​er·​vate

ˈen-ər-ˌvāt

enervated; enervating

: to cause to decline in strength or vigor : weaken

enervatingly adverb

enervation

ˌen-ər-ˈvā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

enervate

transitive verb

en·​er·​vate ˈen-ər-ˌvāt 

enervated; enervating

1

obsolete : to cut the nerves or tendons of

2

: to lessen the vitality or strength of

heat enervates people

enervation

ˌen-ər-ˈvā-shən 

noun