debilitation

[ dih-bil-i-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of making a person or thing weak or feeble, often in a specific way; the resulting state of weakness:

   Death or debilitation is statistically far more likely to occur by disease or accident than by malicious action.

Other Words From

• non·de·bil·i·ta·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of debilitation¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin dēbilitātiōn-, stem of dēbilitātiō; debilitate ( def ), -ion ( def )

Example Sentences

The draft communique says a majority of member states “share common historical experiences in relation to this abhorrent trade, chattel enslavement, the debilitation and dispossession of indigenous people”.

From BBC

Alan Wilson, senior coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, said Debbie died from "the combined effects of her severely emaciated and neglected state, and debilitation caused by widespread Norwegian scabies mite infection".

From BBC

Hundreds of sea turtles suffer hypothermia and severe debilitation every year in the colder waters of Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts, as the cold-blooded reptiles are unable to regulate their body temperatures.

From Seattle Times

Aging inherently brings suffering, debilitation and loss — this is not news.

From New York Times

The long-term form of Covid-19 has something in common with other forms of chronic illness — strange and varied symptoms, lasting debilitation, no certain treatment.

From New York Times