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Definition of debilitating

debilitating

/dɪˈbɪl.ə.teɪ.tɪŋ/
de · bil · i · tat · ing
Adverb:debilitatingly
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debilitating Lexical Profile

debilitating Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Causing a severe loss of physical or mental strength, energy, or vitality.

Example

"The patient finally found a treatment that relieved her debilitating migraines."

2

Severely impairing the ability of an organization, economy, or system to function effectively.

Example

"The small business struggled to recover from the debilitating debt accumulated during the recession."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

debauched
debauchery
debilitate
debilitating
debilitation
debility
debit

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb debilitate, which comes from the Latin debilitatus, the past participle of debilitare ('to weaken'), itself formed from debilis ('weak'), combining de- ('away from') and habilis ('able, manageable').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Debilitating. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/debilitating
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