enfeebles
Drains of vigor
Enfeebles means weakens or deprives of strength.
Disease enfeebles the body; corruption enfeebles institutions.
The word carries a sense of gradual deterioration rather than sudden collapse: Years of isolation had enfeebled his mind.
Enfeeble is somewhat literary—in everyday speech, weaken usually suffices.
Severely impairs function
- incapacitatesRenders unable to act
- disablesRenders inoperable
- hamstringsRear thigh muscles
- handicapsImposed competitive disadvantages
hobbles · impairs · paralyzes · immobilizes · prostrates · sidelines · maims · lames
Plant circulatory fluid
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- diminishTo make smaller
- attenuateReduce in force
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
deplete · drain · reduce · compromise · devitalize · enervate · impoverish · blunt
Military duty uniform
- tiresRubber wheel coverings
- weariesCauses exhaustion
- drainsPipes removing wastewater
- sapsErodes vitality slowly
prostrates · overtaxes · depletes · wears out · burns out · enervates · spent · listless
Weakness from illness or age
- feeblenessLack of strength
- fragilityEase of breaking
- weaknessDeficiency in force
- debilityImpaired strength or vitality
decrepitude · delicacy · languor · atrophy · wasting · senility · decline · deterioration
Makes visible or known
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
- brittlenessProne to snapping
cripples
Severely impairs function
- incapacitatesRenders unable to act
- disablesRenders inoperable
- hamstringsRear thigh muscles
handicaps · hobbles · impairs · paralyzes · immobilizes · prostrates · sidelines · maims · lames · neutralizes
sap
Plant circulatory fluid
erode · deplete · drain · reduce · compromise · devitalize · enervate · impoverish · blunt · dilute
fatigues
Military duty uniform
saps · prostrates · overtaxes · depletes · wears out · burns out · enervates · spent · listless · sluggish
infirmity
Weakness from illness or age
- feeblenessLack of strength
- fragilityEase of breaking
- weaknessDeficiency in force
debility · decrepitude · delicacy · languor · atrophy · wasting · senility · decline · deterioration · degeneration
exposes
Makes visible or known
- susceptibilityLiability to influence
- defenselessnessState of being unprotected
- precariousnessState of uncertain stability
brittleness · sensitivity · insecurity · openness · endangers
enfeeblesstrengthens
Increases force or durability
fortifies · invigorates · energizes · vitalizes · revitalizes
enfeeblesempowers
Grants ability or authority
strengthens · bolsters · reinforces · buttresses · enables