debilitating
UK: dɪˈbɪlɪteɪtɪŋ | US: dɪˈbɪlɪteɪtɪŋ
adj. causing serious weakness or incapacity
vt. (debilitate) to make someone physically or mentally weak
debilitating = de<remove> + bilit<strength> + ating<verb suffix>
- de (Latin prefix): "remove" or "reverse"
- bilit (from Latin bilitas, related to bilis "strength/vigor")
- ating (present participle suffix, forming adjective/verb)
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin debilitare ("to weaken"), combining de- (undoing) + -bilitas (strength). The root reflects a literal "removal of strength," evolving into its modern sense of causing physical or mental incapacity. The suffix -ating adapts it to English participial forms.
The patient suffered from a debilitating illness for years.
Sleep deprivation can be psychologically debilitating.
The injury had a debilitating effect on his athletic performance.
Chronic pain is often debilitating and hard to treat.
The economic crisis proved debilitating for small businesses.