Enervate
hardNegative toneEN-er-vayt
verb
Definition
To cause someone to feel drained of energy; to weaken
Memory hook
E-NERVE-ATE: it removes your NERVE — drains all your energy (does NOT mean energize!).
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The oppressive heat enervated everyone in the room.”
“Years of tedious work had enervated his creative spirit.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The oppressive heat ______ everyone in the room.”
Show answer
enervated
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Enervate is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "debilitate" or "enfeeble" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "invigorate".
Related GRE Words
devitalize
To deprive of strength, vitality, or energy
debilitate
To make weak or feeble; to impair the strength of
sap
(verb) To gradually weaken or destroy; to drain of energy
emaciate
To make abnormally thin or weak, especially through illness or starvation
enfeeble
To make weak or feeble
attenuate
To reduce the force, effect, or value of; to weaken
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