DEBILITATIONS Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'debilitate' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of debilitate are cripple , disable , enfeeble , sap , undermine , and weaken . While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality. // the debilitating effects of surgery

Q: When is 'cripple' a more appropriate choice than 'debilitate'?

The words cripple and debilitate can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element. // crippled by arthritis

Q: Where would 'disable' be a reasonable alternative to 'debilitate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to debilitate , disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability. // disabled by an injury sustained at work

Q: When would 'enfeeble' be a good substitute for 'debilitate'?

Although the words enfeeble and debilitate have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness. // enfeebled by starvation

Q: How are the words 'undermine' and 'sap' related as synonyms of 'debilitate'?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously. // a poor diet undermines your health // drugs had sapped his ability to think

Q: When is it sensible to use 'weaken' instead of 'debilitate'?

While the synonyms weaken and debilitate are close in meaning, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power. // a disease that weakens the body's defenses

debilitate 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt

Definition of debilitate next

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

debilitation

2 of 2

noun

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

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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word debilitate distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of debilitate are cripple, disable, enfeeble, sap, undermine, and weaken. While all these words mean "to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor," debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When is cripple a more appropriate choice than debilitate?

The words cripple and debilitate can be used in similar contexts, but cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

Where would disable be a reasonable alternative to debilitate?

While in some cases nearly identical to debilitate, disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When would enfeeble be a good substitute for debilitate?

Although the words enfeeble and debilitate have much in common, enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of debilitate?

Both undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously.

a poor diet undermines your health

drugs had sapped his ability to think

When is it sensible to use weaken instead of debilitate?

While the synonyms weaken and debilitate are close in meaning, weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power.

a disease that weakens the body's defenses

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 debilitate

Verb

Apart from restoring motor function, it could also be used to help restore speech, vision, or even be used to treat debilitating diseases like epilepsy or Parkinson’s. —

Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026 And that should be the crime of the century, and that is debilitating. —

David Remnick, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026 Medical debt can have debilitating consequences, impacting housing stability, food security and the ability to seek future care when symptoms return. —

Linda D. Gadd, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2026 But is the debilitating competitiveness of the Premier League enough to explain the results in midweek? —

James Horncastle, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debilitate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate

Verb

For the country’s leadership, weakened militarily and more isolated than ever, inflicting economic suffering has become the most powerful weapon available.

— Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Continuous support could theoretically weaken muscles, so experts advise mixing exo use with traditional ergonomics and exercise.

— Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026