etiolate

verb

ˈē-tē-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce etiolate (audio)
Definition of etiolatenext
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of the long, stressful days and sleepless nights gradually etiolated him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for etiolate
  1. weaken
  2. soften
  3. waste
Verb
  • The regime remains capable of suppressing any organized resistance in the country, but the growing disaffection of the elite threatens to weaken the state from within.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Eisenkot's allies could also try to reverse legislation advanced by Netanyahu's government that critics say weakened Israel's democratic institutions and judicial independence.
    — Itay Stern, NPR, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • But on that score, too, Jackson tries to soften the caricature of the billionaire executive.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Add the shallot to the skillet, along with the salt and black pepper, and cook for 1 minute, or until the shallot starts to soften.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of soften
Verb
  • In Southern California and across the country, Halloween costume swaps and thrift stores are keeping costumes from going to waste.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The city of Milwaukee waited 46 years to see its team in the Fall Classic, and this year's Brewers wanted to stop wasting time.
    — Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of waste
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.

Browse Nearby Words

ethos
etiolate
etiolated
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Cite this Entry

“Etiolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/etiolate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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