emaciate

verb

i-ˈmā-shē-ˌāt How to pronounce emaciate (audio)
Definition of emaciatenext
as in to weaken
to lose bodily strength or vigor without adequate medical supplies, doctors could only look on helplessly as cholera victims continued to emaciate

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of emaciate Detectives noted that much of the food in the home was locked away and that James' body was emaciated when found. — Sarah Sarder, Houston Chronicle, 18 Feb. 2020 Many were emaciated, unlike the examples in the current study. — Joshua Sokol, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2020 Scores of common murres, one of the most prolific seabirds, washed up on beaches, and many were emaciated, the researchers said. — oregonlive, 21 Jan. 2020 Past herds of cows wandering through busy settlements along the highway in search of water, so emaciated their ribs were showing. — Jada Yuan, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2023 Ruby’s 10-year-old daughter was also found in the house emaciated, and the two women were arrested and held without bail. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 11 Oct. 2024 Three of them were severely malnourished and the rest were emaciated, according to the Sheriff's Office. — James Carr, azcentral, 21 Feb. 2020 At barely five pounds, Matilda was emaciated and clinging to life when the Monmouth County Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took her in. — Kathleen Hopkins, USA TODAY, 30 May 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emaciate
  1. weaken
  2. fade
  3. go
  4. sag
  5. decay
  6. fail
Verb
  • The flow of dark traffic is one of the factors that helped explain why oil markets had weakened significantly by early June, together with a surge in exports from the US and pullback in buying by China.
    — Weilun Soon, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • But as several surveys have consistently indicated, optimism about our country's outlook has undeniably weakened.
    — Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • But rental business owners like Zhao observed that the rental prices have begun to slide as novelty surrounding these stunt-performing androids fades.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • The combination of hyaluronic and azelaic acid does wonders to fade dark spots, soothe redness, and deeply hydrate.
    — Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 30 June 2026
Definition of fade
Verb
  • News of his death – one example of the political violence roiling America in recent years – quickly went global, with graphic videos flooding social media and politicians on both sides of the aisle swiftly condemning the killing.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Leo Jimenez also went deep for the Marlins, who set a franchise record with 12 homers for a three-game series.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • An InStyle writer recommends the RoC Derm Correxion Retinol Firming Serum Stick for her grandma’s sagging turkey neck.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 1 July 2026
  • Firm up crepey or sagging skin on your face, neck, and décolleté with this popular No7 retinol serum.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 1 July 2026
Definition of sag
Verb
  • Leave some messiness in your garden and leave the leaves, as decaying leaves are great habitat for fireflies.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Many kinds of fly larvae eat dead or decaying tissue and may sometimes end up on meat, but New World screwworm larvae need living tissue to survive and develop.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of decay
Verb
  • From 1994 to 2018, Mexico failed to win a World Cup knockout game and, in 2022, failed to advance past the group stage — its worst showing at a World Cup since 1978.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
    — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026
Definition of fail

Browse Nearby Words

Elysiums
emaciate
emaciated
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Cite this Entry

“Emaciate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emaciate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on emaciate

Nglish: Translation of emaciate for Spanish Speakers

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