ETIOLATE Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

etiolate

verb

ˈē-tē-ə-ˌlāt

Definition of etiolate

as in to weaken

to diminish the physical strength of the long, stressful days and sleepless nights gradually etiolated him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for etiolate

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Apple’s market dominance is built around September; moving away from tradition would upset the ecosystem supporting the launch and risk weakening the iPhone’s dominant position.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

Nude polishes soften the harsh lines of a traditional pink-and-white French manicure.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
Revenue from licensing of shows and films to streaming platforms has softened amid a general industry downturn over the past few years, while other categories of residuals have continued their longer downward trend.

— Gene Maddaus, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of soften

Verb

Given audiences’ enthusiasm for the film, Erwin did not waste any time revealing his next steps for the story of Washington.

— Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
The Rays wasted a prime opportunity at the start of the game, as their first three hitters — Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Simpson — all singled off Emerson Hancock.

— Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 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

See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Style

“Etiolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/etiolate. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of etiolate

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

baptism of fire

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes