as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in demoralizing
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitating
Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025
No cause of death information was released, but Ralphs had been bed-ridden since suffering a debilitating stroke days after a Bad Company show — ultimately his last — at London’s O2 Arena on Oct. 29, 2016.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
Broad-spectrum antibiotics have numerous side effects, including liver inflammation, bone marrow suppression, and debilitating (and sometimes deadly) diarrhea from Clostridium difficile.
—Judy Stone, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitating
Verb
Despite its debilitating effects, UVC radiation is no big deal for Clavascidium lacinulatum, a desert lichen found in the Mojave Desert.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2025
No cause of death information was released, but Ralphs had been bed-ridden since suffering a debilitating stroke days after a Bad Company show — ultimately his last — at London’s O2 Arena on Oct. 29, 2016.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 24 June 2025
Adjective
This transition from theoretical to practical confrontation is all but debilitating, as the grieving father reaches the limits of his empathy.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
Broad-spectrum antibiotics have numerous side effects, including liver inflammation, bone marrow suppression, and debilitating (and sometimes deadly) diarrhea from Clostridium difficile.
—Judy Stone, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitating
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitating
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
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With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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An iron deficiency may lead to nail changes such as softening and weakness.—
Carrie Madormo, RN,
Health,
24 Dec. 2024
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Another indicator of a softening economy is Industrial Production.—
Robert Barone,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Given increasing workplace and social isolation, America’s loneliness epidemic is unsurprising, especially for low earners.—
Nathan Meyers,
The Conversation,
11 July 2025
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After her pre-challenge tussles with both Ginger and Aja, her bottom placement is unsurprising from a narrative perspective.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitating. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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