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debilitate

verb

/dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of debilitate

To weaken or impair the strength, ability, or functioning of something or someone.
"Chronic stress can debilitate a person's mental and physical health."

Detailed meaning of debilitate

It can refer to a physical ailment that causes weakness or to a mental or emotional condition that causes a loss of energy or motivation. It can also refer to a situation or an action that causes a loss of power or effectiveness.
Debilitation can happen gradually, over time, or suddenly, as a result of an accident or illness. It can also happen as a result of a disease or a chronic condition. Debilitation can affect individuals, groups or organizations, and it can be temporary or permanent.
Debilitation can have severe consequences, it can affect a person's ability to work, to care for themselves or to participate in daily life activities. It can also affect the overall well-being of a person, causing depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. It can also affect the functioning of an organization, causing a lack of productivity and efficiency. In general, debilitation implies a loss of strength, ability, or effectiveness, and it can have serious consequences for the person or entity affected by it.

Example sentences containing debilitate

1. The virus can debilitate even the healthiest individuals.
2. The heavy workload began to debilitate her spirit.
3. The coach was worried that the injury would debilitate the player's performance.
4. Chronic stress can debilitate the immune system over time.
5. His lack of sleep continued to debilitate his concentration at work.
6. The oppressive heat seemed to debilitate everyone's energy levels.

History and etymology of debilitate

The verb 'debilitate' has its origins in Latin, specifically from the word 'debilitare,' which is derived from 'debilis,' meaning 'weak' or 'feeble.' In Latin, 'debilitare' was used to express the idea of making something or someone weak or feeble. Over time, as the Latin term evolved into English, 'debilitate' retained its core meaning of weakening or impairing the strength, ability, or functioning of something or someone. Its etymology reflects the concept of reducing or diminishing vitality, emphasizing the idea of causing weakness or infirmity.

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Further usage examples of debilitate

1. Doctors tried to prevent the medication from having a debilitate effect on her health.
2. The team was concerned that the new regulations would debilitate their project.
3. The illness did not debilitate her; instead, it strengthened her resolve.
4. He felt the long journey would debilitate him before he even began his mission.
5. She worried that the constant criticism would debilitate her son's self-esteem.
6. Harsh weather conditions can debilitate the structural integrity of buildings.
7. They found that prolonged isolation could debilitate mental health.
8. The community was concerned that the factory’s emissions might debilitate the local ecosystem.
9. It was clear that the strenuous exercise routine was starting to debilitate him.
10. To avoid debilitate effects, they decided to change strategies.
11. Some argue that an over-reliance on technology could debilitate society in the long term.
12. The poison was slow-acting and served to gradually debilitate its victim.
13. The endless arguing seemed to debilitate the entire family’s ability to communicate.
14. The soldiers’ morale was debilitate after the loss of their leader.