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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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
  • Unlike Netflix, Disney is wrestling with the ongoing deterioration of linear TV.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That creates a different situation when a condition begins with something a resident or guest did rather than deterioration of the building or a maintenance issue.
    — Emma Clapp, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of deterioration
Noun
  • Contrary to Trump’s understanding of leadership, empathy doesn’t equate to weakness but to strength.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • However, the company expects future models to discover weaknesses that remain unknown today.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakness
Noun
  • The hurricane center said the storm's intensity could fluctuate over the next few days but would likely maintain hurricane strength through Thursday, with gradual weakening forecast thereafter.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The networks learn to recognize patterns by strengthening and weakening connections between nodes in response to training data.
    — Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakening
Noun
  • Abrams does yeoman’s work with a character stuck in a tight spot for most of the running time, constantly grunting and gasping with a mixture of anguish and exhaustion as his body gets progressively more beat up and broken.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Tina testified for an hour before fainting from exhaustion, returning later that day for a second round of questioning.
    — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 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
  • Indeed, even after modern jeans were invented in the late 19th century, denim continued to be used to make such apparel as work jackets, prison uniforms, naval fatigues, and jumpsuits.
    — Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
  • But many live with fatigue, weakness, brain fog and other symptoms for months or years before a deficiency is caught.
    — Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 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 Oct. 2026.

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