devitalize

verb

(ˌ)dē-ˈvī-tə-ˌlīz How to pronounce devitalize (audio)
Definition of devitalizenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devitalize
  1. undermine
  2. weaken
  3. drain
  4. soften
  5. exhaust
  6. waste
  7. petrify
  8. enervate
Verb
  • Iran appears to be targeting commercial vessels conducting oil transfers to try to undermine vessels' ability to move energy through the strait, the Institute for the Study of War said Tuesday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the tension, Humphries rejected the suggestion that the issue would have undermined the chemistry behind her Olympic gold medals.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • But while those will provide short-term relief, the currency is expected to weaken toward the end of the year and mid-2027, and a 100 rupee-per-dollar mark could not be ruled out, strategists said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • However, following his arrest, the owner, Mohammad Khan, blamed this week's rains for weakening one of the roofs, according to police, who said the investigation was still underway.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Be sure to drain the olives, mushrooms, and use a thick pizza sauce to avoid a watery dip.
    — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • Certain oils can soften dry, flaky skin and help reduce moisture loss, which may be especially helpful if your scalp feels tight or dry after shampooing.
    — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Lead times for the iPhone 18 Pro have softened in several markets compared with the prior cycle, while the more expensive Pro Max has held up better, according to JPMorgan's tracking.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Kif Leswing, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of soften
Verb
  • Fans care about rivalries among teams made up of students who generally progress through college and exhaust their eligibility alongside their classmates, rather than athletes whose college careers extend well beyond the traditional timeline.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Across a vast and punishing Atlantic, the voyage exhausted the patience of its crew, but never the conviction of its captain.
    — Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • Advertisement Buy portions that match your appetite Throwing away part of a chicken breast means wasting more than dinner.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The organization said the traditional foods that were in the building's freezer will be cooked and served instead of going to waste.
    — Eric Henderson, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of waste
Verb
  • Here, a source of primordial terror—the gaze that petrifies—is deflected by way of the highly polished shield that Perseus wields against the creature.
    — Jan Tumlir, Artforum, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The first film follows a group of French high-school students who travel to Naples on a school trip to discover the ruins of Pompeii and the bodies petrified by Vesuvius.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 20 May 2026
Definition of petrify
Verb
  • Its students arrive morally outraged, a priori puritans, while its professors are enervated and dissatisfied.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The impact of that shocking final scene is sufficient to send viewers out feeling enervated after what’s been a pretty desultory final act.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2026
Definition of enervate

Browse Nearby Words

devising
devitalize
devitalized
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Cite this Entry

“Devitalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devitalize. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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