enfeeble

[ en-fee-buhl ]

verb (used with object)

, en·fee·bled, en·fee·bling.

1. to make feeble; weaken:

   That bout of pneumonia enfeebled him.

   Synonyms: debilitate, enervate

enfeeble

/ ɪnˈfiːbəl /

verb

1. tr to make weak; deprive of strength

Derived Forms

• enˈfeebler, noun
• enˈfeeblement, noun

Other Words From

• en·feeble·ment noun
• enfeebler noun
• unen·feebled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enfeeble¹

1300–50; Middle English enfeblen < Old French enfeblir. See en- ¹, feeble

Example Sentences

She engenders compassion as Elisabeth grapples with her aging body, and a scene where she is enfeebled and struggles to get out of a chair is both achingly painful and achingly funny.

From Salon

Initially prematurely aged and enfeebled because of the conniving evil wizard Saruman, he is restored to vitality by the good wizard Gandalf.

From New York Times

Added to this, Congress, which governed India for decades, looks enfeebled and in decline.

From BBC

Mr. Trump, 77, has portrayed Mr. Biden, 81, as elderly, enfeebled and unable to perform the basic tasks of the presidency.

From New York Times

Democrats plan to answer the widespread questions about the 81-year-old president’s age and readiness by affirming that Biden is capable of being commander-in-chief and trying to discredit people who portray him as enfeebled.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• exhaust
• fatigue
• sap
• weaken