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
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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
-
The opposition similarly claimed that the court intervention and its subsequent violent enforcement at its headquarters were a politically motivated attempt to undermine it.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
25 May 2026
-
The Kremlin blocked online access to 20 years of criminal records statistics, undermining efforts to track Moscow’s repression.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Just weeks ago, the president was blaming Thune for not doing more to whip the votes needed to advance the SAVE America Act, a voter ID bill that stalled over GOP opposition to weakening the filibuster.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 May 2026
-
Canadians were once America's largest group of inbound international travelers, but recent data shows a shift as some turn away from the United States based on values and even a weakening Canadian dollar.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
While discussions about quantum-resistant hard forks exist, the path of least resistance for an attacker would be to drain them immediately — making a swift theft the most plausible outcome unless controversial collective action is taken.—
Sandy Peng,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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This tender fruit loves warm weather and can grow in the ground or containers, so long as the plants receive full sun and well-draining soil.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Much of that comes down to the staff, whose warmth and genuine friendliness soften the immaculate service, making the hotel feel truly welcoming.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Raman has also softened on no-camping zones in the city.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
According to author and designer Olga Naiman, our nervous systems are exhausted by the distractions of modern life.—
Kate Donovan,
Martha Stewart,
28 May 2026
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The Tigers’ four leading scorers after Slaughter either transferred or exhausted their eligibility, leaving Abbey Schreacke and Averi Kroenke as Harper’s other top returners.—
Killian Wright,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
The blow up also wasted a strong performance by rookie left-hander Payton Tolle, who survived a harrowing second inning to post his third quality start in four outings.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
23 May 2026
-
But that doesn’t explain why so many talented actors are also wasted.—
Hugh Hart,
IndieWire,
23 May 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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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
-
Jenny deflected me with enervating ease.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devitalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devitalize. Accessed 29 May. 2026.
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