debilitating 1 of 2

Definition of debilitatingnext

debilitating

2 of 2

verb

present participle of debilitate

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
The scientists set out to investigate a debilitating and lethal parasite that’s been plaguing monarchs. Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026 Or, the first generation simply declined from senescence and the debilitating effects of power long exercised without check. Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
While some lucky people never feel ill, that queasiness can be pretty debilitating for many others—more so in the first trimester, but occasionally throughout the entire pregnancy. Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 9 Feb. 2026 In September 2021, Valle began waking up with painful headaches that would become debilitating throughout the day. CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debilitating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitating
Adjective
  • On the surface, that defeat should have been demoralizing, but the reality was very different.
    Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • The demoralizing graffiti marring the main entrance to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 360 Lenox Ave.
    Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • There is, at present, some evidence for dark energy weakening over time, although the results from the DESI collaboration, which provide the strongest evidence to date for such a scenario, are highly ambiguous.
    Big Think, Big Think, 20 Feb. 2026
  • Evidenced by no-confidence votes and faculty demonstrations, a sizable number of professors hold weakening trust in their institution's administrators.
    Cate Charron, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Long periods of socializing, like a weeklong conference, can feel far more draining than shorter events.
    Big Think, Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
  • By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The land data adds to other signs of softening, despite an uptick in sales as 2025 ended.
    Travis Webb, Austin American Statesman, 24 Feb. 2026
  • Shorter panels or café-style treatments keep fabric away from sinks and stoves while still softening hard tile and metal, and mitigating sharp corners.
    Maria Williams, Ascend Agency, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Grand Luna has an unprecedented high-frequency extension that goes as high as 30kHz, while remaining smooth, non-fatiguing, and eliminating harshness or sibilance thanks to Campfire’s acoustic engineering.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The selling pressure appears to be exhausting itself, setting the stage for a classic snap-back rally.
    Nishant Pant, CNBC, 10 Feb. 2026
  • Still, investors in tech giants are growing nervous because these firms are essentially exhausting their available capital to fund the infrastructure buildout, according to Luria.
    Jake Angelo, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Admittedly, someone older might be critical or discouraging.
    Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Yet seldom is heard a discouraging word when Darnold assesses what happened in New York, Carolina, San Francisco, or Minnesota.
    Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The bugbears of this season — wasting promising chances (though Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce deserves credit for many of those) and some vulnerability to counter-attacks — remained.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Rather than wasting precious park time heading back to your hotel to drop off your clothes, slip these compact Baggu totes into your park bag.
    Jacqueline Dole, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Debilitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitating. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

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