debilitate

American

[dih-bil-i-teyt] / dɪˈbɪl ɪˌteɪt /

verb (used with object)

debilitated, debilitating

to make weak or feeble; enfeeble.

The siege of pneumonia debilitated her completely.

Synonyms:

devitalize, enervate, deplete, weaken

debilitate British

/ dɪˈbɪlɪˌteɪt /

verb

(tr) to make feeble; weaken

"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

Other Word Forms

debilitant noun
debilitation noun
debilitative adjective
nondebilitating adjective
nondebilitative adjective
overdebilitate verb (used with object)
undebilitated adjective
undebilitating adjective
undebilitative adjective

Etymology

Origin of debilitate

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both brothers died of Hungtington’s disease, a genetic disorder that began to severely debilitate them during their 30s.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

But such remarks debilitate and isolate students, making them feel as if they don’t belong in an area where they should feel welcomed.

From Seattle Times • May 14, 2023

It is a necessary path forward in thinking about how to manage emerging technologies so they support and uplift, rather than dehumanize and debilitate, our society.

From Washington Post • Jun. 18, 2021

Losing a player of that caliber – a perennial All-Star and former MVP -- would debilitate most teams.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2020

He needed to be better about that, about letting the nightmares debilitate him.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023