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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Trump’s suggestion of easing economic restrictions has drawn sharp criticism from European allies, who warn that any premature normalization could undermine the unified Western stance on sanctions and harm Ukraine’s position in ongoing negotiations.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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Israeli authorities have stated that Chinese involvement in missile development or supply could directly undermine Israel's defense efforts.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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This means banana particles can remain between teeth for an extended period, giving bacteria more time to produce acids that weaken tooth enamel.14 6.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
13 Aug. 2025
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For Trump, whose political brand has long relied on projecting authenticity to his base, a sustained decline in honesty ratings could weaken his ability to roll out his agenda.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Design can nudge employees toward better creativity, recovery, and well-being, or leave them drained.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
18 Aug. 2025
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Talent, people said, was draining out of the doubles discipline; still, the level of the game remained high, and many fans are devoted to it.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Cook until the fruit starts to soften, about 5 minutes.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
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There are some signs that the lack of enthusiasm from buyers across the country is translating into softening sales prices.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The choice is whether to exhaust yourself trying to conduct every note or to lay down a rhythm that enables your entire team to create something extraordinary together.—
Michael Hudson,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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My mother, exhausted, would simply tell us to go to bed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Lastly, the amount of young talent that has been wasted and moved along without any opportunity to prove themselves.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
18 Aug. 2025
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The game got underway following a 35-minute weather delay caused by heavy rain earlier in the evening, but the Mets wasted little time attacking Mariners starter George Kirby.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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So don’t go around being petrified of having your esophagus rupture someday.—
Bruce Y. Lee,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Nearly every day brings a fresh breach of what were once thought to be the rules, moves that have thrilled his insurgent supporters and petrified his nervous opponents.—
Peter Baker,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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 24 Aug. 2025.
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