enervate

[ verb en-er-veyt; adjective ih-nur-vit ]

verb (used with object)

, en·er·vat·ed, en·er·vat·ing.

1. to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of; weaken.

   Synonyms: exhaust, sap, debilitate, enfeeble

adjective

1. enervated.

enervate

verb

1. tr to deprive of strength or vitality; weaken physically or mentally; debilitate

adjective

1. deprived of strength or vitality; weakened

Derived Forms

• ˈenerˌvator, noun
• ˈenerˌvative, adjective
• ˌenerˈvation, noun

Other Words From

• ener·vation noun
• ener·vative adjective
• ener·vator noun
• non·ener·vating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enervate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin ēnervātus “weakened” (past participle of ēnervāre “to weaken”), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + nerv(us) “sinew” + -ātus adjective suffix; e- ¹, nerve, -ate ¹; compare Anglo-French enervir, French énerver

Word History and Origins

Origin of enervate¹

C17: from Latin ēnervāre to remove the nerves from, from nervus nerve, sinew

Example Sentences

Removing this key link of Westlake Avenue at this critical juncture could undo much of the recovery we’ve fought for and permanently enervate the small businesses of South Lake Union.

From Seattle Times

Suffice to say, if it’s 45,000 years ago, as stated in the somber, enervating, occasionally ridiculous horror film “Out of Darkness,” you’re mainly looking for a warm cave to avoid cannibals.

From Los Angeles Times

To be sure, not every episode has been equally good — one or two I would describe as not good — and some story arcs I found more rewarding, or more enervating, than others.

From Los Angeles Times

Rachel — despite her challenges with Celeste, her old lover David, her ailing ex-husband and her enervating work life — also discovers good things about her new life as her body changes.

From Los Angeles Times

For the onetime Rangers managing partner, it was an enervating finale to a championship that eluded him when he was signing the checks.

From New York Times