debilitating

/dɪˈbɪlɪteɪɾɪŋ/

/dɪˈbɪlɪteɪtɪŋ/

Other forms: debilitatingly

Something that's debilitating seriously affects someone or something's strength or ability to carry on with regular activities, like a debilitating illness.

Debilitating comes from the Latin word debilis, meaning "weak." That's why you'll often see the adjective used to describe illness. After all, serious diseases weaken the body. Other things that can be debilitating are those that can stop you from reaching a goal, like a debilitating snow storm that forces you to stay home, or debilitating shyness that keeps you from reaching out to the people you want to meet.

Definitions of debilitating

1. adjective

   impairing the strength and vitality
   synonyms:

   debilitative, enervating, enfeebling, weakening

   causing debilitation

   draining, exhausting

   having a debilitating effect

   antonyms:

   invigorating

   imparting strength and vitality

   animating, enlivening

   giving spirit and vivacity

   bracing, brisk, fresh, refreshful, refreshing, tonic

   imparting vitality and energy

   corroborant

   used of a medicine that is strengthening

   exhilarating, stimulating

   making lively and cheerful

   life-giving, vitalizing

   giving or having the power to give life and spirit

   regenerative, renewing, restorative, revitalising, revitalizing, reviving

   tending to impart new life and vigor to

   stimulating

   rousing or quickening activity or the senses