1
as in to undermine
to deprive of emotional or intellectual vitality
overuse has devitalized many a once-striking figure of speech
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
she was devitalized by the infection
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of devitalize
This can devitalize the plant to the point of it starting to die back.
—
oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2023
Miller’s writing début may have been precipitated by her assault, but the final work devitalizes its horrific beginnings.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2019
His lip was completely destroyed with multiple linear lacerations, jagged lacerations, devitalized tissue, denervated tissue with a 12 cm laceration in multiple pieces of the entire left upper lift, the mucosal surface, and orbicularis.
—Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, 1 June 2017
oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2023
Miller’s writing début may have been precipitated by her assault, but the final work devitalizes its horrific beginnings.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2019
His lip was completely destroyed with multiple linear lacerations, jagged lacerations, devitalized tissue, denervated tissue with a 12 cm laceration in multiple pieces of the entire left upper lift, the mucosal surface, and orbicularis.
—Edmund H. Mahony, courant.com, 1 June 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devitalize
Verb
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The current United squad may lack attributes needed for Amorim’s preferred tactical system to thrive, but yesterday exhibited a lack of mental focus that undermined every major action.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
12 May 2025
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Since returning to office, Trump has directed his administration to act aggressively against foreign nationals who the Administration has alleged are undermining American interests, particularly in the context of criticism of Israel and campus protests against the war in Gaza.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Others may develop it after pregnancy, as the muscles and ligaments around the uterus can loosen or weaken.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
10 May 2025
-
This weakens their ability to tailor experiences and erodes marketing efficiency.—
Amit Jhawar,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Verb
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These clocks will, unfortunately, drain your batteries a little quicker but probably not fast enough to really take notice.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
They’re emotionally drained, exhausted by the mental gymnastics that have such a profound effect on their franchise’s direction.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
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
Verb
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To the elderly and those already exhausted by their efforts to get this far, this simply became an insurmountable barrier.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
9 May 2025
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After exhausting the questions, Witt posed for a picture with the entire class.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2025
Verb
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Don’t waste money splurging on something for a wedding rehearsal dinner that’ll only end up at the back of your closet, never to be seen again.—
Camille Freestone,
Glamour,
13 May 2025
-
Mets analyst Ron Darling didn't waste any time calling out Davis for his miscue.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
Verb
-
He was petrified by the thought of dying of cancer or some other disease whose senselessness disgusted him.—
Ian Buruma,
The New Yorker,
6 Jan. 2025
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Medusa was known in ancient Greece for petrifying anyone who dared to look her in the eye, and has been seen as a personification of madness.—
Sarah Belmont,
ARTnews.com,
17 Dec. 2024
Verb
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This relationship, when successful, tends to enervate mediating institutions that thwart the immediate desires of both the populist leader and the public.—
Cameron Hilditch,
National Review,
28 Feb. 2021
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The saving grace of this often enervating thriller is that Doscher grants time for his actors to build character and intimacy, and both Pinto and Odom offer warm, affectingly natural performances as two people facing the end of their world.—
Teo Bugbee,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Devitalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devitalize. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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