- present participle of debilitate.
debilitating
Britishadjective
Explanation
Something that's debilitating seriously affects someone or something's strength or ability to carry on with regular activities, like a debilitating illness. Debilitating comes from the Latin word debilis, meaning "weak." That's why you'll often see the adjective used to describe illness. After all, serious diseases weaken the body. Other things that can be debilitating are those that can stop you from reaching a goal, like a debilitating snow storm that forces you to stay home, or debilitating shyness that keeps you from reaching out to the people you want to meet.
Vocabulary lists containing debilitating
This Week in Words: February 5 - 9, 2018
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Feeling Faint: Synonyms for "Weak"
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Scythe
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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.
"Cancer immunotherapy works by creating a lasting immune response against tumors, but that same persistence may also contribute to recurring inflammatory side effects that can be debilitating for patients," Nurieva said.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 20, 2026
Chronic low back pain is a debilitating and costly medical issue that affects 13% of Americans.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026
In 2024, Smith revealed that she was living with the debilitating effects of multiple sclerosis.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
Those affected can wait years for diagnosis, and there is no cure - meaning women are left grappling with debilitating pain that can affect their relationships, work, education and mental health.
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
Oliver was in Sweden recuperating from a debilitating stroke he had suffered in August 1989.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
