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
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Recent Examples of devitalize
This can devitalize the plant to the point of it starting to die back.
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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
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At the time, law enforcement officials emphasized that North Korea's hacking operations were primarily profit-driven—a stark contrast to nations like Russia, China and Iran, which typically focus on espionage, intellectual property theft or undermining democratic systems.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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Drake then accused Doughty of treason and undermining his command.Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2024
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
Verb
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Gabriel stood awkwardly between the door and the back of a sofa, facing Thornton, and his calm drained away.Daisy Hildyard, The New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2024
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Keep in mind that this gearing will drain the battery more than when driven at slower city speeds.New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 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
Verb
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The company’s demand for talent likely exceeded these annual totals, but Congress has set a yearly limit on H-1B petitions that employers have exhausted for the past two decades.Stuart Anderson, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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In the 1790s, after about a decade of loyal service, many members of the corps were physically exhausted by the demands of their duties.Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The modules also monitor the water system to detect leaks or other inefficiencies that might be wasting consumers' money.Michael Franco, New Atlas, 14 Dec. 2024
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Healthcare providers waste valuable resources responding to redundant verification requests, and health plans risk regulatory noncompliance.Tammy Hawes, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Medusa was known in ancient Greece for petrifying anyone who dared to look her in the eye, and has been seen as a personification of madness.Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 17 Dec. 2024
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Numb to controversy: After constant scandals, Trump is desensitized to infernos that would petrify anyone else in business or politics.Axios, Axios, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
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This relationship, when successful, tends to enervate mediating institutions that thwart the immediate desires of both the populist leader and the public.Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 28 Feb. 2021
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The saving grace of this often enervating thriller is that Doscher grants time for his actors to build character and intimacy, and both Pinto and Odom offer warm, affectingly natural performances as two people facing the end of their world.Teo Bugbee, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2020
Thesaurus Entries Near devitalize
Cite this Entry
“Devitalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devitalize. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
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