debilitate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
- debilitant noun
- debilitation noun
- debilitative adjective
- nondebilitating adjective
- nondebilitative adjective
- overdebilitate verb (used with object)
- undebilitated adjective
- undebilitating adjective
- undebilitative adjective
Etymology
Origin of debilitate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin dēbilitātus (past participle of dēbilitāre ), equivalent to dēbilit-, stem of dēbilis “weak” + -ātus -ate 1
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.
It has been used to treat pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, but can cause debilitating harm to some women.
From BBC
It will facilitate the development of bespoke therapies that target a specific problem, such as a genetic abnormality, that causes severely debilitating or life-threatening diseases.
According to ME Research UK, PoTS is a debilitating, under-recognised condition that causes quick heart rate increases after getting up from sitting or lying down.
From BBC
The actor spoke candidly about his debilitating disease, saying it “made me a little bit softer, a little bit more open.”
From Los Angeles Times
If you position that as your true purpose, a man’s failure to live up to your expectations will cease to debilitate you.
From Los Angeles Times
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.
