enervate

[en-er-veyt, ih-nur-vit]

verb (used with object)

enervated, enervating 

1. to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of; weaken.

   Synonyms: exhaust, sap, debilitate, enfeeble

adjective

1. enervated.

enervate

verb

1. (tr) to deprive of strength or vitality; weaken physically or mentally; debilitate

adjective

1. deprived of strength or vitality; weakened

Other Word Forms

• enervation noun
• enervative adjective
• enervator noun
• nonenervating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of enervate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin ēnervātus “weakened” (past participle of ēnervāre “to weaken”), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + nerv(us) “sinew” + -ātus adjective suffix; e- ¹, nerve, -ate ¹; compare Anglo-French enervir, French énerver

Word History and Origins

Origin of enervate¹

C17: from Latin ēnervāre to remove the nerves from, from nervus nerve, sinew

Example Sentences

It gives the musical a rousing finish, but cannot erase the enervating effect of much of what has come before.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yet when he spoke following the haphazard 2-1 Europa League defeat on Thursday, there was a enervating familiarity about how the Rangers head coach explained away the outcome.

Read more on BBC

Removing this key link of Westlake Avenue at this critical juncture could undo much of the recovery we’ve fought for and permanently enervate the small businesses of South Lake Union.

Read more on Seattle Times

Suffice to say, if it’s 45,000 years ago, as stated in the somber, enervating, occasionally ridiculous horror film “Out of Darkness,” you’re mainly looking for a warm cave to avoid cannibals.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

To be sure, not every episode has been equally good — one or two I would describe as not good — and some story arcs I found more rewarding, or more enervating, than others.

Read more on Los Angeles Times