debilitate

[dih-bil-i-teyt]

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.

Nearby words

Origin of debilitate

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

Related forms

de·bil·i·tant, nounde·bil·i·ta·tion, nounde·bil·i·ta·tive, adjectivenon·de·bil·i·tat·ing, adjective

non·de·bil·i·ta·tion, nounnon·de·bil·i·ta·tive, adjectiveo·ver·de·bil·i·tate, verb (used with object), o·ver·de·bil·i·tat·ed, o·ver·de·bil·i·tat·ing.un·de·bil·i·tat·ed, adjectiveun·de·bil·i·tat·ing, adjectiveun·de·bil·i·ta·tive, adjective

Synonyms for debilitate

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR debilitate ON THESAURUS.COM

weaken, deplete, enervate, devitalize.

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

Examples from the Web for debilitating

Most will choose simply to endure whatever comes, no matter how painful or debilitating, and that is their right.
On Her Own Terms: Why Brittany Maynard Has Chosen to Die|Gene Robinson|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Shulgin, however, maintained that the drug could help patients overcome trauma or debilitating guilt.
The Week in Death: Alexander Shulgrin, Who Synthesized the Drug Ecstasy|The Telegraph|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A debilitating fall and broken hip further strained a meager $125 monthly government stipend.
Havana Bids Adios to Conrado Marrero, MLB’s Oldest Player|Peter C. Bjarkman|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Each of them has distinctive and debilitating flaws in the eyes of Republican power brokers.
Why the GOP Needs a Return to the Bush Leagues|Robert Shrum|April 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

From the age of ten, I have dealt with debilitating periods.
A New Hysterectomy Procedure Eliminates Massive Scarring and Long Recovery Time. So Why Aren’t More Doctors On Board?|Heather Wilson|March 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fierce, broiling days without even the debilitating moisture to ease the suffering citizens.
The Shield of Silence|Harriet T. Comstock
A low intellectual tone or lack of critical work on the part of a college has a debilitating influence on the student.
Colleges in America|John Marshall Barker
During long years of struggling with poverty and sickness, and a hot, debilitating climate, my children grew up around me.
Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe Compiled from Her Letters and Journals|Charles Edward Stowe
Almost immediately Rhoda felt the debilitating effects of overheat.
The Heart of the Desert|Honor Willsie Morrow
But still, in the back of our mind, the debilitating influence of fall fever was at work.
Pipefuls|Christopher Morley

British Dictionary definitions for debilitating

debilitating

adjective

tending to weaken or enfeeble

debilitate

verb

(tr) to make feeble; weaken

Derived Formsdebilitation, 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

Word Origin and History for debilitating

debilitate

1530s, from Latin debilitatus, past participle of debilitare "to weaken," from debilis "weak" (see debility). Related: Debilitated; debilitating.

Medicine definitions for debilitating

debilitating

[dĭ-bĭl′ĭ-tā′tĭng]

adj.

Causing a loss of strength or energy.

debilitate

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

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of debilitate

Synonyms for debilitate

Examples from the Web for debilitating

debilitating

adjective

debilitate

verb

Word Origin for debilitate

debilitate

debilitating

adj.