as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the debilitation that all the prisoners of war had experienced during their captivity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor
attributed the patient's general debilitation to an iron deficiency
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitate
Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024
See latest videos, charts and news In late 2021, Davids began suffering from debilitating headaches and was often struck down with crippling pain.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
For others, the trauma of living through such catastrophic events leads to PTSD, a debilitating condition characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
For years, my father suffered from debilitating alcoholism, eventually losing our farm and home to bankruptcy.
—David Trone, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debilitate 
Verb
The symptoms and severity vary widely, from fatigue and shortness of breath, to debilitating conditions such as organ failure.
—Dan Horn, The Enquirer, 24 Nov. 2024
See latest videos, charts and news In late 2021, Davids began suffering from debilitating headaches and was often struck down with crippling pain.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024
For others, the trauma of living through such catastrophic events leads to PTSD, a debilitating condition characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
—Bill Frist, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024
For years, my father suffered from debilitating alcoholism, eventually losing our farm and home to bankruptcy.
—David Trone, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
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In addition, hiring has slowed a bit in recent months, raising the risk that the economy could weaken in the coming months.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
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Too much water can cause the fibers to weaken, become brittle, and break.Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Coined as far back as 1854 by Henry David Thoreau in Walden, the idea of mental deterioration from trivial distractions has never been more relevant.Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Tedeschi credits Park Road with heroic work on the Maysles footage, which was delivered to them in various stages of deterioration.Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The biggest risks to the expansion are high inflation and global economic weakness, with a tie for third between the incoming administration’s fiscal policies and the size of the U.S. deficit.Steve Liesman, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024
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Fatigue Fatigue and weakness are common signs of abnormally high blood sodium levels, known as hypernatremia.James Myhre & Dennis Sifris, MD, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Cát Bà Island, Vietnam My memories of Cát Bà Island are faded Polaroids, worn and softened at the edges.Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
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Outlander producer breaks down season 7 return, Roger's shocking discovery Jamie softens and, finally, gets it.Lincee Ray, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The probe comes after a 114-page report, released earlier this year by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), found that exhaustion, burnout and an overall lack of sleep for controllers — particularly during evening shifts — has hindered safety and led to accidents.The Hill Staff, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024
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Negotiations are just another tool to improve one’s political position; the objective, as with military operations, remains the enemy’s subjugation, or at least its exhaustion.Niall Ferguson, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The shadow of death and debility haunted American women throughout the nineteenth century.Jenny Noyce, JSTOR Daily, 28 June 2024
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According to this view, the outside world has been generous to Africa, providing substantial aid in recent decades, leaving no excuse for the continent’s debility.Howard W. French, Foreign Affairs, 16 June 2015
Noun
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The intensity being so high is also another problem, with fatigue and injuries eventually catching up to the players.Thom Harris, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
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Weakness, fatigue and lightheadedness are among the most noticeable symptoms associated with iron deficiency, says Nance.Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near debilitate
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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