emaciate

verb

ema·​ci·​ate i-ˈmā-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce emaciate (audio)
-ˈmā-sē-
emaciated; emaciating
Synonyms of emaciatenext

transitive verb

1
: to cause to lose flesh so as to become very thin
cattle emaciated by illness
2
: to make feeble

intransitive verb

: to waste away physically
emaciation
i-ˌmā-sē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce emaciate (audio)
-ˌmā-sē-
noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of emaciate in a Sentence

without adequate medical supplies, doctors could only look on helplessly as cholera victims continued to emaciate
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter was also found in the house emaciated, and the two women were arrested and held without bail. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024 At barely five pounds, Matilda was emaciated and clinging to life when the Monmouth County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took her in. — Kathleen Hopkins, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Latin emaciatus, past participle of emaciare, from e- + macies leanness, from macer lean — more at meager

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of emaciate was in 1646

Rhymes for emaciate

See All Rhymes for emaciate

Browse Nearby Words

emacerate
emaciate
emaciated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Emaciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emaciate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

emaciate

verb
ema·​ci·​ate i-ˈmā-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce emaciate (audio)
emaciated; emaciating
: to cause to lose flesh so as to become very thin
emaciation
-ˌmā-shē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce emaciate (audio)
-sē-
noun

Medical Definition

emaciate

verb
ema·​ci·​ate i-ˈmā-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce emaciate (audio)
emaciated; emaciating

transitive verb

: to cause to lose flesh so as to become very thin

intransitive verb

: to waste away physically

More from Merriam-Webster on emaciate

Nglish: Translation of emaciate for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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