- 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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Feeling Faint: Synonyms for "Weak"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Scythe
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Media outlets may self-censor to avoid financially debilitating penalties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
"It's very painful, and it's very debilitating in many respects, but he's still out there. He's still doing his thing...he so believes in this country."
From Barron's ● Aug. 9, 2026
He revealed that the "cancer has spread, metastasised into his bones and further. It's very painful" and "very debilitating".
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
They suffer unexpected and debilitating health events, often through no fault of their own, and end up under a mountain of medical bills — health-related issues are still the No. 1 cause of bankruptcy.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 23, 2026
I staggered to my feet, the pain attacking me in debilitating waves.
From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
