definitions

debilitate

[ dih-bil-i-teyt ]
/ dɪˈbɪl ɪˌteɪt /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR debilitate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), de·bil·i·tat·ed, de·bil·i·tat·ing.

to make weak or feeble; enfeeble: The siege of pneumonia debilitated her completely.

RELATED CONTENT

World War IRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Is “Anti” Actually An Inclusive Term?It might surprise you to know that the negative anti is being hailed as a more inclusive way to talk about groups facing discrimination.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

eviscerate, attenuate, disable, cripple, exhaust, harm, mar, devitalize, injure, prostrate, extenuate, relax, hurt, enfeeble, spoil, enervate, sap, blunt, undermine, weaken

Nearby words

debe, debeak, debenture, debenture bond, debierne, debilitate, debilitating, debility, debir, debit, debit card

Origin of debilitate

1525–35; < Latin dēbilitātus (past participle of dēbilitāre), equivalent to dēbilit-, stem of dēbilis weak + -ātus -ate1

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for debilitate

British Dictionary definitions for debilitate

debilitate

/ (dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪt) /

verb

(tr) to make feeble; weaken

Derived Forms

debilitation, noun

Word Origin for debilitate

C16: from Latin dēbilitāre, from dēbilis weak
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012