as in weak
lacking bodily strength
the debilitated prisoners could barely stand
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in weakened
to diminish the physical strength of
the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debilitated
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The war, the latest and most extensive Israel offensive in the Gaza Strip, has greatly debilitated Hamas.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Amid an unprecedented cold snap in the Upper Florida Keys, six juvenile green sea turtles were discovered debilitated by frigid waters and are now undergoing intensive care at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Israel quickly debilitated Iran’s air defenses and caused significant damage to Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2026
The war, the latest and most extensive Israel offensive in the Gaza Strip, has greatly debilitated Hamas.
—Foreign Correspondent, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026
Amid an unprecedented cold snap in the Upper Florida Keys, six juvenile green sea turtles were discovered debilitated by frigid waters and are now undergoing intensive care at the Turtle Hospital in Marathon.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debilitated
Adjective
-
Viel made a weak pass that led to the goal but had a strong hit on McDavid in the opening 20 minutes as well.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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With the uncertainty caused by the war with Iran, the price of oil going through the roof, and tariffs complicating company supply chains, analysts expected the labor market to get weaker.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This has been a story of unforeseen incidents, such as the unnoticed approach of the storm and the capsizing in front of high cliffs that prevented us from swimming ashore before the cold water had weakened us.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
-
For Caracas, the engagement offers a chance to attract foreign capital and revive industries weakened by years of mismanagement and sanctions.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So, in retrospect, [the entire Lightning project] looked pretty feeble.—
Jamie Lincoln Kitman,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
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His visit also comes as the committee stalls on advancing Casey Means, Kennedy’s nominee for surgeon general, over her lack of medical practice experience and feeble answers on the importance of vaccination.—
Daniel Payne,
STAT,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This hit, however, has been softened by the fact that Robinhood has succeeded in growing other business lines, notably banking and prediction markets, allowing its overall revenue to remain steady.—
Jeff John Roberts,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
When the roasted oysters arrive, their usual brininess is softened by a fragrant coconut curry and sharp Asiago cheese.—
Natalie Hoy,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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It’s based on the dramatic and emotionally wrenching personal life of Southern Gothic author Carson McCullers, a physically frail but powerful novelist, adept at portraying the loneliness and isolation of misfits and outcasts.—
Marcia Luttrell,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Bucks County, Pennsylvania, grandmother, then 76, looked frail but resolute.—
Craig R. McCoy,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Father Time lost again James was exhausted, his jersey pulled over his head after a fourth-quarter turnover.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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When one physician is exhausted, others compensate.—
Jennifer Obel,
Twin Cities,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The organization analyzed actuarial figures from the Social Security Administration and found that as many as 400,000 poor and disabled people and indigent older people could have their support cut or eliminated.—
Sarah D. Wire,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
There are buckets of disabled mobile phones.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His opponent pressured him, tired him out and knocked him out.—
Brett Appley,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2026
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Plus, their fabric and fill are less likely to accrue that ever-darkening yellowish stain that tired goose down pillows acquire over time, thanks to sweat, oils, lotion residues, etc.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debilitated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debilitated. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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