enfeebling 1 of 2

adjective

as in debilitating

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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
  • While critics claim the court cases are politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition, the government insists the country’s judiciary is independent and free from political influence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Those tasks had often depended on personal relationships rather than formal job requirements, and the researchers found those ties were weakening.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 5 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
  • Even as Democrats target his Virginia district to capitalize on a favorable 2026 environment, McGuire is doing the opposite of Republicans in some competitive races, who are softening their ties to Trump.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026
  • This all lends itself to a softening market for fashion and apparel — even the most loyal customers are pulling back.
    — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 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
  • His fellow scientists are neither comforting nor discouraging.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Then a rough 2025, a crowded rotation in 2026 and a discouraging bullpen stint led Pfaadt back to Reno.
    — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of discouraging
Adjective
  • That can sound empowering or demoralizing, depending on your perception of AI and ability to master it.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Zibanejad was a deserving team MVP in an otherwise demoralizing 2025-26 campaign, posting his highest totals in three years for goals (34) and points (78).
    — Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of demoralizing
Adjective
  • Consequently, the action is more exhausting than invigorating, even when the physical challenge offers the possibility of something cool or inventive.
    — Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Amid the constant and surely exhausting attention paid to his personal life over the years, the man has carved out an impressive career.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of exhausting

Browse Nearby Words

enfeebles
enfeebling
enfetter
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Cite this Entry

“Enfeebling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/enfeebling. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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