enfeebled 1 of 2

enfeebled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of enfeeble

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 enfeebled
Adjective
By 1877, the hope for Black equality met an enfeebled federal government that essentially permitted Jim Crow to run amok. Wesley Morris, New York Times, 9 June 2026 But given the island’s small size and enfeebled state, the risks seem much smaller than in Iran. Niall Stanage, The Hill, 20 May 2026 With this enfeebled mind my only recourse is poetry. Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026 Chargers guards and center Bradley Bozeman, a trio whose job was made more difficult by subpar play by both offensive tackles, looked enfeebled against Indianapolis Colt tackle DeForest Buckner. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025 During a hospital stay, Roy’s enfeebled mother fixates on the caste and religious affiliations of the doctors treating her—the sort of thing that will be familiar to anyone who has cringed at a diminished elder’s unfiltered prejudices. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
The costs of maintaining an enormous Cold War army and navy enfeebled an already unstable Soviet economy. Gregory A. Daddis, The Conversation, 14 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enfeebled
Adjective
  • The Commerce Department released a report Friday showing weak retail sales in July.
    CBS News, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Following his coach and uncle Toni’s advice, Nadal finally beat Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2008, breaking Federer’s Open-Era-record five-year winning streak on grass, by playing high balls to Federer’s back hand, his weak point.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The ultimate effect of Fedorov appeal to everyone’s better angels, is that Zelensky is weakened, the questions of his electoral legitimacy amplified, and the call for an end to the war bolstered.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Positions have hardened, trust has weakened and the room for quiet resolution has narrowed.
    Sean Pattwell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Instead of using a mirror to gather starlight, MOTHRA has many telephoto lenses, like those on a camera, which can capture faintly glowing wisps of gas and other feeble emanations across a wider field of view.
    Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • By an act of war, committed with the participation of a diplomatic representative of the United States and without authority of Congress, the Government of a feeble but friendly and confiding people has been overthrown.
    Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Conversely, timid or softened feedback delivered to struggling employees creates a false sense of security, signaling that there is no urgency to adjust course.
    Luciana Paulise, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Add the sweet peppers and cook until just softened, about 2 minutes.
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Mujahid and Barbosa say the 19-year-old had appeared frail, but also rarely appeared at all.
    Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Research suggests that starting a program of high-intensity resistance exercise can help people grow less frail, if continued over at least a few months.
    Veronique Greenwood, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • And the concept, in his eyes, isn’t exclusive to the relationship between disabled people and their aides.
    Selome Hailu, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
  • That said, some folks, like the local nurse (Amanda Davis), agree to come out to the encampment and treat the residents, many of whom are physically disabled, suffer from mental disorders or are war veterans probably still in the throes of PTSD.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Enfeebled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfeebled. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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