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

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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
  • Opponents, however, argue the legislation could undermine California’s leadership in the technology industry.
    — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • South Africa closed its two major refineries in 2022 after new fuel regulations undermined their commercial logic.
    — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of undermine
Verb
  • That makes the hot and cold sides quickly equalize, clearly weakening electricity generation.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 19 July 2026
  • The Kospi Index has tumbled 25% since its June peak, resulting in a $1 trillion wipeout that threatens to weaken its global clout.
    — Winnie Hsu, Fortune, 19 July 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • The shattered standing forlornly by the podium at the end of a draining tournament, hearts broken, bodies exhausted, having to watch as the opposition receive the reward that England were agonisingly close to.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Ryan Fox took home the Claret Jug after draining a birdie putt on the 18th hole to win the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
Definition of drain
Verb
  • In recent months, with his cancer diagnosis now public, his attitude had softened and the prospect of him coming back to the stadium was dangling.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Let your shoes soften the look, while the rest of your accessories—like a designer bag and statement jewelry—do all the heavy lifting.
    — India Roby, Glamour, 21 July 2026
Definition of soften
Verb
  • With little time to recover on the ball, such sequences only serve to exhaust Argentina, running low on energy to exert such pressure themselves.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • This rule doesn’t apply to the high school class of 2022, many of whom exhausted their NCAA eligibility with the 2025-26 season.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of exhaust
Verb
  • But there’s a more fundamental principle within that belief, and Falcons quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt wasted little time decorating his meeting room to reflect it.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 19 July 2026
  • As Rahm Emanuel famously said, don’t let a crisis go to waste.
    — Lincoln Restler, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026
Definition of waste
Verb
  • 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
  • Johansson plays her with a tough edge to match her Queens accent, but Hester is clearly petrified by this perfect storm of ugly events.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Definition of petrify
Verb
  • 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
  • Campbell, the North Carolina folk singer, describes an enervating process marked by back-and-forth exchanges and lots of waiting.
    — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 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 23 Jul. 2026.

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