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debilitateto make someone or something weak and infirm

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to make someone or something weak and infirm

Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈbɪləˌteɪt/

Example Sentences

  • The superhero's kryptonite allergy debilitated him faster than his nemesis expected.
  • Chronic stress can debilitate both the mind and body.
  • His addiction to social media debilitated his ability to focus on real conversations.

debilitate

VERB

[/dɪˈbɪləˌteɪt/]

to make someone or something weak and infirm

Illness weakened the strong athlete
💡 Concept

Illness weakened the strong athlete

De bills I hate! — Bill's worn down, debilitated by debt!
🧠 Mnemonic

De bills I hate! — Bill's worn down, debilitated by debt!

What may debilitate, therapy can rehabilitate!
🎵 Rhyme

What may debilitate, therapy can rehabilitate!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/dɪˈbɪləˌteɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/dɪˈbɪləteɪt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixde--
Rootbil
Suffix--ate

Origin

From Latin 'debilitatus', the past participle of 'debilitare', meaning 'to weaken'. This comes from 'de-' (meaning 'down' or 'away') combined with 'debilis' (meaning 'weak').

Breakdown

de- (down, away) + -bilitare (from debilis, weak) + -ate (verb suffix) = debilitate (to make weak)

🎵Rhyme

facilitaterehabilitatehabilitate
facilitate
rehabilitate
habilitate

🔗Collocations

debilitate the economy
debilitating disease
severely debilitated
debilitate muscles
debilitated condition

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The superhero's kryptonite allergy debilitated him faster than his nemesis expected.

Chronic stress can debilitate both the mind and body.

His addiction to social media debilitated his ability to focus on real conversations.

😄 Fun example

The vampire's bite didn't just hurt - it debilitated his victim's will to resist.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

weakenenfeebleenervateincapacitateundermine

Antonyms

strengtheninvigorateenergize

Related

debilityrehabilitationvitalityweaknessfatigue

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