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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitate
Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
And, much like our collagen, the NAD our body naturally produces starts a precipitous decline by our twenties, debilitated by our lifestyle choices and daily stressors (poor diet, not enough exercise, stress, pollution and so on), dipping steadily with age.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 2 Apr. 2025
Parker’s primary-care provider suggested that his debilitating fatigue was a product of anxiety.
—Rebecca Nagle, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
Declining vaccination rates are leaving communities vulnerable to the spread of debilitating, preventable diseases like measles.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Verb
Declining vaccination rates are leaving communities vulnerable to the spread of debilitating, preventable diseases like measles.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
And, much like our collagen, the NAD our body naturally produces starts a precipitous decline by our twenties, debilitated by our lifestyle choices and daily stressors (poor diet, not enough exercise, stress, pollution and so on), dipping steadily with age.
—Fiorella Valdesolo, Allure, 2 Apr. 2025
Parker’s primary-care provider suggested that his debilitating fatigue was a product of anxiety.
—Rebecca Nagle, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
Declining vaccination rates are leaving communities vulnerable to the spread of debilitating, preventable diseases like measles.
—Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for debilitate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitate
Verb
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But that progress stalled out around the turn of the year, which weakened the case for further rate cuts and ultimately prompted the Fed to stand pat in January.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
-
More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The results are rising food prices, unsafe food, and the deterioration of our environment.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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The deterioration of market breadth indicators going back to the fourth quarter of 2024 has provided a fantastic confirmation of the bearish conditions affecting the major equity averages.—
David Keller,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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However, economists say trade deficits aren’t a sign of national weakness.—
Time,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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The dollar strengthened after days of weakness, and oil rose back above $60, starting to climb out of a danger zone.—
Ben Berkowitz,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Bookings are already softening from corporate and leisure customers, especially in domestic markets, although according to Delta, premium and international demand remains strong so far.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Add roast and cook until well browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to slow cooker. Reduce heat to medium and add onions to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Pasadena Unified School District, roiled by years of declining enrollment and grappling with the exhaustion of pandemic-era federal funds, needed to slash $12 million from its budget — and the school board had just voted to send out preliminary layoff notices to dozen of teachers.—
Daniel Miller,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2025
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Nurses, meanwhile, face long hours, understaffing, and emotional exhaustion.—
Scott White,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
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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President Biden’s troubles — lingering inflation, wars and rumors of wars, his debility — could have benefited any Republican.—
David Harsanyi,
National Review,
25 Jan. 2024
Noun
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Regardless, that doesn’t stop many doctors, fitness professionals, and physical therapists from recommending Epsom salts in the treatment of muscle pain and fatigue.—
Alice Nardiotti,
Vogue,
10 Apr. 2025
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This season’s problem have been down to injuries and fatigue, a result of going deep in three or four competitions for the last eight years and exacerbated by an ageing squad.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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