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

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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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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
  • These tests helped rule out more ordinary explanations such as mechanical strain, material deterioration, uneven samples, and electromagnetic screening by the metal.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Generally, the deterioration in government fiscal health is a global issue.
    — Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • Question Ford is not alone in exposing the offensive line weakness on the depth chart.
    — Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • According to Briggs, work has become synonymous with busyness and resting is seen as a sign of weakness or something taken only as an extreme reward.
    — John Hall, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • That helped investors see the sell-off in AI infrastructure stocks that began in roughly late June and continued into July in a new light — specifically, the idea that the steep declines had reflected weakening fundamentals quickly evaporated.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In 2024, the Fed acted decisively to get ahead of a weakening in the labor market, delivering a bold, half-point rate cut.
    — Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakening
Noun
  • And Software Finder’s survey found that nearly half of workers who fake productivity say the pressure to appear busy has contributed to their burnout or exhaustion.
    — Barnaby Lashbrooke, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged or repeated stress that leaves people feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted and unable to keep up with ongoing demands.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhaustion
Noun
  • 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
  • His trajectory is one of softening, from the swaggering knight of the opening to the irrepressible lover of the second act to his final physical debility.
    — Justin Davidson, Vulture, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of debility
Noun
  • In melanoma patients, Keytruda treatment can result in fatigue, diarrhea, rash and inflammation of joints and muscles, as well as of healthy organs in some cases.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The product is intended for people navigating screen-heavy workdays, mental fatigue, travel, irregular routines, or periods of rest before returning to focused tasks.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of fatigue

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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 25 Aug. 2026.

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