as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitate
Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
To prevent outbreaks of this debilitating, disfiguring and deadly disease, state and local governments implemented smallpox inoculation and vaccination campaigns into the early 1900s.
—Stacie Kershner, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2025
Chest aches, fevers, debilitating headaches and chills pained 15-year-old Sufiya Syed for more than a year before doctors finally diagnosed her two months ago.
—CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Even people who develop a mild infection are vulnerable to the lingering and sometimes debilitating constellation of symptoms dubbed long COVID.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Verb
You could one day be spared from ever experiencing the debilitating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—thanks to a new discovery that could help open the door to prevention.
—Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
To prevent outbreaks of this debilitating, disfiguring and deadly disease, state and local governments implemented smallpox inoculation and vaccination campaigns into the early 1900s.
—Stacie Kershner, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2025
Chest aches, fevers, debilitating headaches and chills pained 15-year-old Sufiya Syed for more than a year before doctors finally diagnosed her two months ago.
—CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2025
Even people who develop a mild infection are vulnerable to the lingering and sometimes debilitating constellation of symptoms dubbed long COVID.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
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For investors, even opposition threats of repeal weaken confidence by raising doubts about long-term policy stability.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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While his core supporters remain loyal, sustained disapproval among the broader public could weaken his leverage in negotiations with Congress and erode confidence in his leadership.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Mahama’s installations, which say something about societal deterioration, also dramatize the country’s inability to sustain robust funding in the arts or technology in its postindependence years.—
Edna Bonhomme,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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Indeed, September’s deterioration doesn’t signal the first time the indicator has entered recession territory—it’s been there since February 2025—but marks a further step away from a healthy outlook over a prolonged period of time.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Though the Red Sox did shoot themselves in the foot with base-running, fielding and bunting failures in Game 2, thus costing them their shot at reaching the ALDS, Game 3 was a bit more representative of the Red Sox and their weaknesses.—
Michael Hurley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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However, other small business indicators show weakness.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That initial white chocolate softens into something creamier and woodier as the hours pass.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
3 Oct. 2025
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Expect Hamas to try to equivocate, buy time, soften language, and insist on impossible guarantees while preserving levers of power.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The hurricane center said some gradual weakening is expected during the next couple of days as the storm continues to move in a general northeastward direction.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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The meeting comes as the central bank is in a bit of a bind, given the recent uptick in inflation that has coincided with a weakening of the job market.—
Zev Fima,Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Additionally, multitasking contributes to mental fatigue and negatively impacts overall well-being, with some participants reporting feelings of exhaustion after.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
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An intimate portrait of love and exhaustion that finds the comic edge in ordinary chaos.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In Will There Ever Be Another You, the main character struggles with an illness similar to long COVID, descending into a state of debility and psychosis as readers experience the chaos of her unraveling life.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
26 Sep. 2025
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
Noun
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Most people suffer muscle aches, headaches, balance problems, fatigue and high fevers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
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Other symptoms include abdominal pain, changes to bathroom habits, bloated stomach, unexplained weight loss, vomiting and fatigue and feeling short of breath, per the Cleveland Clinic.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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