enfeeblement
Loss of vigor
Enfeeblement is the process of becoming weak or the state of having been made weak.
It applies to physical debility, as when illness or age causes enfeeblement of the body, but also to abstract weakening: the enfeeblement of democratic institutions.
The word carries a sense of gradual decline or deliberate undermining rather than sudden collapse.
Impaired strength or vitality
- frailtyWeakness of body
- infirmityWeakness from illness or age
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
languor · lassitude · prostration · asthenia · incapacitation · invalidism · impairment · decrepitude
Gradually draining vitality
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- enervationLoss of vigor
- devitalizationLoss of vitality
- underminingWeakening by covert means
depleting · wearing down · taxing · debilitating · crippling · hollowing · eroding · attenuating
Process of declining quality
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- worseningBecoming more severe
- regressionReturn to former state
descent · downfall · degradation · erosion · diminution · waning · ebbing · fading
Gradual functional decline with age
- geriatricsMedicine for the elderly
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- old ageAdvanced years of life
- gerontologyScientific study of senescence
superannuated · octogenarian · nonagenarian · centenarian · dotage · infirm · decrepit · frail
debility
Impaired strength or vitality
- frailtyWeakness of body
- infirmityWeakness from illness or age
- exhaustionState of utter depletion
fatigue · languor · lassitude · prostration · asthenia · incapacitation · invalidism · impairment · decrepitude · fragility
sapping
Gradually draining vitality
- drainingDepleting one's reserves
- enervationLoss of vigor
- devitalizationLoss of vitality
undermining · depleting · wearing down · taxing · debilitating · crippling · hollowing · eroding · attenuating · diluting
deterioration
Process of declining quality
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- decayGradual organic breakdown
- worseningBecoming more severe
regression · descent · downfall · degradation · erosion · diminution · waning · ebbing · fading · failing
senescence
Gradual functional decline with age
- geriatricsMedicine for the elderly
- elderlyAdvanced in age
- old ageAdvanced years of life
gerontology · superannuated · octogenarian · nonagenarian · centenarian · dotage · infirm · decrepit · frail · doddering
- weaknessfrailty, debility, asthenia, enervation, powerlessness
- declinesdrop, decline, downtrend, downturn, downfall
- impairmentsimpairment, disability, paralysis, incapacity, blindness
enfeeblementstrengthening
Increasing power or solidity
invigoration · fortification · revitalization · rejuvenation · energizing
enfeeblementempowerment
Gaining authority or confidence
strengthening · fortification · reinforcement · enablement · enhancement
enfeeblementrecovery
Regaining what was lost
recuperation · rehabilitation · convalescence · revival · healing
weakness, feeble, feebleness, feebly, debilitate, enfeeble, debilitation, enfeebled, feebler