decondition

[ dee-kuhn-dish-uhn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to diminish the physical strength, stamina, or vitality of; weaken.
2. to diminish or eliminate the conditioned condition responses or behavior patterns of.

Word History and Origins

Origin of decondition¹

First recorded in 1935–40; de- + condition

Example Sentences

Furthermore, he says, “we decondition quickly following injury or life getting in our ways.”

From Washington Post

In the words of their physicians, they “decondition” and “fail to thrive.”

From New York Times

“But when there is a real issue, we have to decondition ourselves and be vulnerable and say, ‘hey there’s something wrong.'”

From Seattle Times

“But when there is a real issue, we have to decondition ourselves and be vulnerable and say, ‘hey there’s something wrong.’”

From Washington Times

He says, “We have to decondition ourselves, to undo all that self-contempt we have,” and Tom thinks, I can do that too.

From Slate