as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitate
Eileen Davidson, Health, 15 May 2025
Any cuts to Medicaid will be highly disruptive to the lives of children, those with debilitating illness, and to the families of elderly people receiving long term care.
—Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
One of those deaths occurred after a rare minke whale found offshore near Emeryville was euthanized due to debilitating health issues.
—Nadia Lopez, Axios, 1 May 2025
And working to recognize the difference between debilitating struggles (such as those that led to MJ Melendez being sent to Triple-A Omaha) and staying the course because of belief or encouraging signs — as with Massey (hitting .206).
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Verb
The Pain Gets Worse During my pregnancy in 2012, the pain intensified even more, accompanied by swelling and debilitating fatigue that no amount of rest could make go away.
—Eileen Davidson, Health, 15 May 2025
Any cuts to Medicaid will be highly disruptive to the lives of children, those with debilitating illness, and to the families of elderly people receiving long term care.
—Dr. James W. Cox-Chapman, Hartford Courant, 11 May 2025
One of those deaths occurred after a rare minke whale found offshore near Emeryville was euthanized due to debilitating health issues.
—Nadia Lopez, Axios, 1 May 2025
And working to recognize the difference between debilitating struggles (such as those that led to MJ Melendez being sent to Triple-A Omaha) and staying the course because of belief or encouraging signs — as with Massey (hitting .206).
—Vahe Gregorian, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
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In Colorado, for example, several AI companies recently lobbied to delay and weaken the state’s landmark AI accountability legislation — a preview of what unchecked industry influence could look like under a regulatory freeze.—
Anisha Sircar,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
-
Their backing from the youngest voters weakened in 2024 (Catalist).—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Noun
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From the start, the idea was to revitalize Eagle Crest Plaza, which became blighted due to years of neglect and deterioration by rainwater detention.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations.—
Jordan King
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 May 2025
Noun
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With a newfound sense of self, Murderbot is forced to hide its disgust for human weakness and emotion.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
16 May 2025
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Proton Mail encourages you to save a recovery key in the form of a lengthy code and a QR code, but that recovery key itself now becomes a weakness.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
14 May 2025
Verb
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These effects are largely attributed to endorphins, which appear to soften contractions of the uterus that lead to period pain.10 These benefits are best achieved with orgasm, in part because the same muscles used for orgasm also cause period cramps.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
15 May 2025
-
To soften the booziness, serve your drink over ice.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 May 2025
Noun
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The cost of this mental churning extends beyond personal exhaustion.—
Melody Wilding,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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In addition to exhaustion and dehydration, mountaineers can also find themselves at risk of avalanches, hypothermia and falling.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN Money,
13 May 2025
Noun
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.—
Jenny Noyce,
JSTOR Daily,
28 June 2024
-
President Biden’s troubles — lingering inflation, wars and rumors of wars, his debility — could have benefited any Republican.—
David Harsanyi,
National Review,
25 Jan. 2024
Noun
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Mind fatigue can lead to shortcuts such as not thoroughly proofing an important email or opting out of decision-making with your team.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
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And the economy-powering consumers are already showing some signs of fatigue: Sales at US retailers slowed sharply in April to 0.1% after a surge of 1.7% in March, when shoppers rushed to beat the slew of new tariffs.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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