Debilitated — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective /di-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt/ de·bil·i·tate

Meaning & Definition of Debilitated

Debilitated (verb)

  1. to impair the strength of, enfeeble

Debilitated (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lacking bodily strength

    "the debilitated prisoners could barely stand"

    similar: asthenic, delicate, down-and-out, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpish, wimpy
    related: disabled, incapacitated, invalid, paralyzed, broken-down, decrepit, impotent, powerless, breakable, flimsy, fragile, dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy, drained, exhausted, flagging, tired, weary, worn-out, damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, unsound, resistless, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding
    opposite: mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong
    near: able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile, hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough, fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened, energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized, hale, healthy, sound, capable, competent, convalescing, recovering, recuperating

Debilitated (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to diminish the physical strength of

    "the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears"

    similar: devitalized, enervated, enfeebled, etiolated, prostrated, sapped, softened, tired, wasted, weakened
    related: crippled, disabled, hamstrung, incapacitated, depleted, depressed, exhausted, impoverished, unmanned, washed out, damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, invalided, laid up, broke down, ground (down), wore down, wore out, paralyzed
    opposite: beefed (up), fortified, strengthened
    near: energized, invigorated, recruited, rejuvenated, vitalized, hardened, seasoned, toughened

Related Entry: Debilitate (verb)

Debilitate is a different word from Debilitated. The synonyms below are for debilitate, not for debilitated.

  1. to diminish the physical strength of

    "the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears"

    similar: devitalize, enervate, enfeeble, etiolate, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, waste, weaken
    related: cripple, disable, hamstring, incapacitate, deplete, depress, exhaust, impoverish, unman, wash out, damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, invalid, lay up, break down, grind (down), wear down, wear out, paralyze
    opposite: beef (up), fortify, strengthen
    near: energize, invigorate, recruit, rejuvenate, vitalize, harden, season, toughen

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Debilitated

The most common words with a similar meaning to Debilitated:

asthenic, delicate, down-and-out, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, infirm, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weak, weakened, wimpish, wimpy, devitalized, etiolated, tired

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Debilitated

Words with the opposite meaning of Debilitated:

mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong, beefed (up), fortified, strengthened

Related Words for Debilitated

disabled, incapacitated, invalid, paralyzed, broken-down, decrepit, impotent, powerless, breakable, flimsy, fragile, dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy, drained, exhausted, flagging, weary, worn-out, damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, unsound, resistless, susceptible, unresistant

Near Antonyms of Debilitated

able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile, hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough, hardened, inured, toughened, energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized, hale, healthy, sound, capable, competent

Word Forms of Debilitated

Inflections: debilitating

Derived words: debilitation (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Debilitated

Latin debilitatus, past participle of debilitare to weaken, from debilis weak

First known use: 1533

Frequently Asked Questions about Debilitated

What does "Debilitated" mean?

"Debilitated" means to impair the strength of, enfeeble. As an a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: to impair the strength of, enfeeble. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Debilitated"?

Other words for "Debilitated" include asthenic, delicate, down-and-out, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint and feeble. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Debilitated" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Debilitated"?

There are 73 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Debilitated". Common alternatives include asthenic, delicate, down-and-out, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail and infirm.

What is the opposite of "Debilitated"?

Antonyms of "Debilitated" include mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong, beefed (up) and fortified. Near antonyms include able-bodied, athletic, beefy and brawny.

How do you use "Debilitated" in a sentence?

Examples of "Debilitated" in a sentence: "the debilitated prisoners could barely stand"; "the heart surgery debilitated the college athlete beyond his worst fears".

Is "Debilitated" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Debilitated" can be used as a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Debilitated"?

"Debilitated" is pronounced /di-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt/ and divided into syllables as de·bil·i·tate.

What is the origin of the word "Debilitated"?

"Debilitated" comes from Latin debilitatus, past participle of debilitare to weaken, from debilis weak. First known use: 1533.