Debilitate
hardNegative tonedih-BIL-ih-tayt
verb
Definition
To make weak or feeble; to impair the strength of
Memory hook
DE-BILL-itate: medical BILLS pile up because illness has made you weak and unable to function.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The prolonged illness debilitated him considerably.”
“Sanctions were designed to debilitate the enemy's economy.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The prolonged illness ______ him considerably.”
Show answer
debilitated
Categories
GRE Tip
Debilitate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "weaken" or "enervate" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "strengthen".
Related GRE Words
devitalize
To deprive of strength, vitality, or energy
enervate
To cause someone to feel drained of energy; to weaken
enfeeble
To make weak or feeble
sap
(verb) To gradually weaken or destroy; to drain of energy
attenuate
To reduce the force, effect, or value of; to weaken
emaciate
To make abnormally thin or weak, especially through illness or starvation
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