enfeebling 1 of 2

adjective

as in debilitating

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

enfeebling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of enfeeble
as in weakening
to diminish the physical strength of long periods of being confined to a hospital bed will enfeeble anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 enfeebling
Verb
In Church’s day, that separation depended on promoting a robust idea of American innocence over Europe’s enfeebling corruption. — Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 If the goal instead is regime weakening—enfeebling the Islamic Republic so the Iranian public could overwhelm it—there are two ways forward. — Dennis Ross, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026 If that is the case, the economic effect will be to draw capital out of emerging market economies, enfeebling them (and their currencies and bond markets). — Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for enfeebling
  1. debilitating
  2. weakening
  3. draining
  4. softening
  5. fatiguing
  6. discouraging
  7. demoralizing
  8. exhausting
Adjective
  • According to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), threats to these sectors can create debilitating impacts on the economy, public health and safety.
    — Julie Song, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • That’s a good thing, in the sense that even if a child is infected, the vast majority do not develop debilitating, and potentially fatal, consequences.
    — Eli Cahan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of debilitating
Verb
  • Electing more allies could give either camp an edge in shaping AI policy in the next Congress, even as the feud risks weakening Silicon Valley's clout.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Today, despite low unemployment and easing inflation, frustration over everyday expenses is weighing on voter’s perception of the economy — and weakening Lula’s support.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakening
Adjective
  • This is a good time to organize the list, clarify expectations, or make a routine feel less draining.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Speaking of the part of van life spent behind the wheel, Volkswagen has slightly reworked the Grand California's driver-assistance suite to make driving a little less draining.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 July 2026
Definition of draining
Verb
  • Medik8 Advanced Night Ceramide is a rich overnight cream that helps replenish dry skin while softening the look of crepiness, fine lines, and rough texture.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists at the Beckman Institute have been tracking levels of plastic-softening phthalates in the blood of children since before they were born up until age 11.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of softening
Adjective
  • Most other feeders can send dozens, if not hundreds, of clips to your phone each day, which can be more fatiguing than relaxing to go through.
    — Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 27 Sep. 2026
  • But the most mentally fatiguing aspect, the work found, was having to constantly supervise the AI tools, with some employees overseeing multiple AI agents performing different tasks at the same time.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of fatiguing
Adjective
  • The charges were filed less than two weeks before the midterm election, breaking with longstanding DOJ guidance discouraging actions that could affect upcoming political races.
    — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Conventional wisdom suggests such discouraging numbers would depress turnout.
    — Christopher Miller, The Conversation, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Adjective
  • The meta-musicals have their delights but can be no less demoralizing.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That can sound empowering or demoralizing, depending on your perception of AI and ability to master it.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of demoralizing
Adjective
  • What was once an exhausting logistical trial has become the first chapter in a grand Antarctic journey.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Lunch is not a social meal at the hotel, as patients are often in the midst of treatments, many of which can be exhausting.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausting

Browse Nearby Words

enfeebles
enfeebling
enfetter
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Enfeebling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfeebling. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of reticent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All