Emaciate
hardNegative toneih-MAY-shee-ayt
verb
Definition
To make abnormally thin or weak, especially through illness or starvation
Memory hook
E-MACI-ATE: you didn't eat so you look like a MACE (skeleton) — abnormally thin from starvation.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Months of imprisonment had emaciated the prisoners.”
“The disease emaciated his once-robust frame.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Months of imprisonment had ______ the prisoners.”
Show answer
emaciated
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Emaciate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "wither" or "attenuate" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "nourish".
Related GRE Words
atrophy
To waste away or deteriorate, especially from lack of use
devitalize
To deprive of strength, vitality, or energy
enervate
To cause someone to feel drained of energy; to weaken
debilitate
To make weak or feeble; to impair the strength of
enfeeble
To make weak or feeble
desiccate
to dry out completely; to drain of vitality
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