debilitate
Weaken someone physically or mentally
Examples
In a meeting
“Chronic sleep deprivation can debilitate cognitive function and decision-making ability.”
Over coffee
“The flu really debilitated me for an entire week.”
Why this word
weaken
Debilitate implies severe, often prolonged weakening affecting function, while weaken is general and can be mild or temporary
tire
Debilitate suggests serious impairment of strength or health, while tire refers to ordinary fatigue
harm
Debilitate specifically describes loss of strength or vitality, while harm broadly means any damage or injury
Usage tip
Use when emphasizing severe weakening effects. Stronger than 'weaken' and implies significant impairment.
Etymology
Latin 'debilitare' meaning 'to weaken', from 'debilis' (weak), from 'de-' (from) + root of 'habilis' (able)
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Related words
affliction
A condition causing pain or suffering
contagious
Capable of spreading from person to person rapidly
malady
A disease or ailment affecting physical or mental health
regimen
A prescribed course of treatment, diet, or exercise
immunize
Protect against disease or negative influence
preventative
Designed to stop something from happening before it occurs