debilitate in English
- debilitate⇄debilitate, transitive verb, -tated,-tating.
to make weak or feeble; weaken.
Ex. A hot, wet, tropical climate debilitates those who are not used to it.
(SYN) enervate, exhaust.
debilitate in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
debilitate in Sindhi سنڌي
debilitate in Telugu తెలుగు
Debilitate
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/ (English)
Definitions
- To make someone or something physically weak.
- To impair the strength or effectiveness of something.
Usage Examples
- "The long illness debilitated him, leaving him unable to work."
- "The economic crisis debilitated many small businesses."
Etymology
Derived from Latin dēbilitāre, meaning "to weaken," which comes from dēbilis, meaning "weak" or "feeble."
Synonyms
- Weaken
- Enfeeble
- Undermine
- Drain
Antonyms
- Strengthen
- Fortify
- Invigorate
- Empower
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | debilitar | /de.bi.liˈtar/ |
| French | affaiblir | /a.fɛ.bliʁ/ |
| German | schwächen | /ˈʃvɛçən/ |
| Hindi | कमज़ोर करना | /kə.mə.zoːr kəɾ.na/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 削弱 | /xuē ruò/ |
| Russian | ослаблять | /əsɫɐˈblʲætʲ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/
- American English: /dɪˈbɪləˌteɪt/
Historical Usage
The word "debilitate" has been in use since the 16th century, primarily in medical and military contexts to describe physical and strategic weakening.
Cultural Nuances
In literature and rhetoric, "debilitate" is often used metaphorically to describe the weakening of arguments, societies, or institutions.
More Information
Debilitation can refer to both physical and metaphorical weakening. In medical contexts, it describes conditions that cause loss of strength. In economics and politics, it signifies the weakening of systems and institutions due to various pressures.