DEBILITATING Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

debilitating 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of debilitating

as in demoralizing

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

debilitating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of debilitate

as in weakening

to diminish the physical strength of the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 debilitating

Adjective

Their assets, systems and networks are considered so essential that their disruption would have a debilitating impact on national security, public safety or the economy. — Emil Sayegh, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026 Parazaider had revealed his most debilitating condition in a statement on the group’s website 2021. — Chris Willman, Variety, 17 June 2026

Verb

This finding offers a promising new pharmacological option for a debilitating symptom affecting up to 70% of PTSD patients, potentially targeting the endocannabinoid system. — Dario Sabaghi, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The group went to a hotel afterwards, where Molina was given a debilitating substance. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debilitating

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitating

Adjective

Suddenly, in this most demoralizing scenario, USC is out of the Playoff picture at the halfway point of the season.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
On top of all that, having to say this again and again is demoralizing.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of demoralizing

Verb

Anderson said population and labor-force declines, along with the Bay Area’s high housing costs, are weakening both the supply of workers and demand for them in many traditional industries.

— George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Rather than weakening the rule, the authors recommended strengthening it by passing the Roadless Area Conservation Act, which would turn the agency regulations into federal law.

— Dan Peck, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakening

Adjective

This is a good time to organize the list, clarify expectations, or make a routine feel less draining.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Speaking of the part of van life spent behind the wheel, Volkswagen has slightly reworked the Grand California's driver-assistance suite to make driving a little less draining.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026

Definition of draining

Verb

Now, parts and service departments and finance and insurance packages are becoming more important sources of profit for car dealers, as profits from new vehicle sales show signs of softening.

— Robert Ferris, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
In addition to softening the shape, Zurek also explored new types of leathers and finishes.

— Talia Abbas, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of softening

Adjective

But the most mentally fatiguing aspect, the work found, was having to constantly supervise the AI tools, with some employees overseeing multiple AI agents performing different tasks at the same time.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
My friend was in course of opening up his country house unassisted, and after a fatiguing day discovered that the only practical bed was a child’s affair— long enough but scarcely wider than a crib.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 2026

Definition of fatiguing

Verb

Senior technology executive and business coach Leah Farmer points out that burnout isn’t always caused by overwork, and that effort without agency can be exhausting too.

— Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
After exhausting all options, including selling their car and moving in with a relative, Esma makes the painful decision to wed Zara for the dowry.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhausting

Adjective

Then a rough 2025, a crowded rotation in 2026 and a discouraging bullpen stint led Pfaadt back to Reno.

— Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Despite the discouraging landscape, recruiters and career experts say there are still ways for recent graduates to stand out.

— Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 28 July 2026

Definition of discouraging

Verb

The company then has to abandon the tool or build a custom system anyway, wasting much of the original work.

— Komninos Chatzipapas, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Skeptics say such psychic profilers do more harm than good by wasting police resources and exploiting grieving families.

— Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of wasting

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“Debilitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitating. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of debilitating

adjective

verb

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