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
Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
The feat was deemed so inspiring that an adaptation of The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, released in U.K. theaters earlier this year and depicted Moth’s diagnosis of a debilitating and terminal neurological illness that Winn said was improved by the expedition.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 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
For another, a one-and-done remedy for the condition’s most debilitating manifestations is, quite simply, a phantom goal.
—Caren Zucker, The Atlantic, 6 July 2025
The feat was deemed so inspiring that an adaptation of The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, released in U.K. theaters earlier this year and depicted Moth’s diagnosis of a debilitating and terminal neurological illness that Winn said was improved by the expedition.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 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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The confusion is unsurprising, not least as ShinyHunters appear to use the same tactical playbook as Scattered Spider.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
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Conversely, the Kennedy Center cut performances by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington in an unsurprising move.—
Christine Ledbetter,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitating. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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