debilitate

[ dih-bil-i-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·bil·i·tat·ed, de·bil·i·tat·ing.

1. to make weak or feeble; enfeeble:

   The siege of pneumonia debilitated her completely.

   Synonyms: devitalize, enervate, deplete, weaken

debilitate

/ dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

1. tr to make feeble; weaken

Derived Forms

• deˌbiliˈtation, noun

Other Words From

• de·bil·i·tant noun
• de·bil·i·ta·tion [dih-bil-i-, tey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• de·bil·i·ta·tive adjective
• non·de·bil·i·tat·ing adjective
• non·de·bil·i·ta·tive adjective
• o·ver·de·bil·i·tate verb (used with object) overdebilitated overdebilitating
• un·de·bil·i·tat·ed adjective
• un·de·bil·i·tat·ing adjective
• un·de·bil·i·ta·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of debilitate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin dēbilitātus (past participle of dēbilitāre ), equivalent to dēbilit-, stem of dēbilis “weak” + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of debilitate¹

C16: from Latin dēbilitāre, from dēbilis weak

Example Sentences

Furthermore, the mass deportations Trump has promised is likely to debilitate local and state economies.

From Los Angeles Times

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the sanctions imposed are part of Australia’s efforts to expose cyber criminals and debilitate groups engaging in cyber attacks.

From Seattle Times

Would Indians be treated fairly in this trial that could debilitate or bring an end to their way of life?

From Seattle Times

His outfit has been tracking some of the more extreme experiments, including one that had paid for Russian scientists to debilitate cats, implant electrodes in their spines, put them on treadmills and prodded their spinal cords to move in an effort to understand what sort of sensory inputs help cats walk.

From Washington Times

Surrender to dissidents and allow a small group of extremists to debilitate his office.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• attenuate
• cripple
• disable
• eviscerate