debilitation

American  

[dih-bil-i-tey-shuhn] / dɪˌbɪl ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of making a person or thing weak or feeble, often in a specific way; the resulting state of weakness.

   Death or debilitation is statistically far more likely to occur by disease or accident than by malicious action.

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Other Word Forms

• nondebilitation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of debilitation

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin dēbilitātiōn-, stem of dēbilitātiō; see debilitate ( def. ), -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Whereas now it is her fiancee Nat Sciver, the debilitation goes back to getting assistance from former wicketkeeper Jane Smit, who hasn't played for England for 14 years.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2022

The long-term form of Covid-19 has something in common with other forms of chronic illness — strange and varied symptoms, lasting debilitation, no certain treatment.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2021

A stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease and many other neurological conditions result in varying degrees of debilitation that may require years or even a lifetime of continued care.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 23, 2021

In the fog of his debilitation, a serious recent girlfriend left him for someone else.

From The Guardian • May 16, 2019

Even in the grip of agonizing pain or complete debilitation, most jockeys clung to their illusion of invulnerability.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand