debilitation

noun

Definition of debilitationnext
1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body the debilitation that all the prisoners of war had experienced during their captivity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor attributed the patient's general debilitation to an iron deficiency

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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 debilitation The cases were said to be in people with significant underlying health conditions, including organ and immune system dysfunction, as well as debilitation. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026 Nobody wants to watch a loved one endure the pain, debilitation, and loss of independence that can follow a serious fall. — Brian Frost, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 In New Jersey, lawmakers are considering a bill to amend a state law that allows parents to nominate standby, or temporary, guardians in the cases of death, incapacity, or debilitation. — CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2026 Those citing such ominous scenarios envisioned other possible dangers, including the debilitation of America’s security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil exporters. — Paul Blustein, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitation
  1. deterioration
  2. weakness
  3. weakening
  4. exhaustion
  5. debility
  6. fatigue
Noun
  • Flores is seeking release largely because of what her lawyers describe as a serious deterioration in her health while in federal custody.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Imagine a system that flags hundreds of concerns but cannot distinguish meaningful deterioration from routine variation.
    — Arpan Saxena, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • On iPhone, Apple says the Passwords app automatically identifies common weaknesses, including passwords that are easy to guess or used multiple times.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Slowik, who was part of Miami’s offensive staff last season while working for McDaniel, is aware of what Wright and Gordon bring to the team, their strengths and weaknesses, and intends to cater the offense to those.
    — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • By Wednesday next week, the moisture plume from the weakening storm will arrive in Arizona and New Mexico with the potential for flash floods and lingering tropical showers throughout the desert.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The first sign that El Niño is developing is a weakening, or even reversal, of the tropical Pacific trade winds.
    — Steven Paton, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of weakening
Noun
  • It is better understood as a symptom of political exhaustion and vulnerability following years of division, economic hardship, and war.
    — Michael Robbins, Foreign Affairs, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The Touring’s heated and ventilated leather seats and lumbar support helped keep exhaustion at bay.
    — Robert Duffer, AJC.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • In recent years, white supremacists have embraced the concept of lactose intolerance as a distinguishing debility of nonwhite people.
    — Hilary Smith, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
  • And, when pets suffered from cancer or heart failure or debility, conversations about what to do next were emotional but often straightforward.
    — Sunita Puri, New Yorker, 6 June 2026
Definition of debility
Noun
  • The pressure and unpredictability can create widespread employee fatigue.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • And Hawaii is enduring hurricane fatigue after Lala, Lowell and Nolo all swiped by the island chain with heavy rain and strong winds.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of fatigue

Browse Nearby Words

debilitating
debilitation
debility
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Cite this Entry

“Debilitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitation. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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