DEBILITATING Synonyms: 153 Similar and Opposite Words

debilitating 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of debilitating

as in demoralizing

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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

But any movement that engages her core muscles — bending, turning, stretching — is painful and debilitating. — Daniela Suarez, NBC news, 31 July 2026 Though it’s been reported in more than 100 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the debilitating, stigmatizing, and deadly disease is still largely ignored. — Borna Nyaoke-Anoke, STAT, 30 July 2026

Verb

Louder Than Fear since 2017, chronicling his life dealing with the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder since surviving a plane crash nine years earlier. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Aug. 2026 He was diagnosed three years ago with the debilitating neuromuscular disorder, which is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that causes people to gradually lose the ability to move. — Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 13 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

That’s because the scent leads with a masculine-leaning opening of almond blossom, pink pepper, and neroli, before softening to its woody vanilla base.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Nike had been using Bugs Bunny in a series of commercials starring Michael Jordan as a means of softening the basketball legend’s intense on-court image and marketing his Air Jordans to families.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 25 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

After scoring the game’s first run in the top of the 10th, the Angels gave up two with two outs in the bottom of the inning, losing to the Texas Rangers, 2-1, on Friday night, once again wasting a scoreless start from Reid Detmers.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Personalize Outreach To Dream Customers Stop wasting your tiny budget trying to scream at a cold, massive audience.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of wasting

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“Debilitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitating. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of debilitating

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verb

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