What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
debilitate
Example
The flu debilitated him for weeks. [debilitated: past tense verb]
Example
The athlete's injury debilitated his performance. [debilitated: adjective]
enfeeble
Example
The long hike enfeebled her legs. [enfeebled: past tense verb]
Example
The dictator's oppressive policies enfeebled the economy. [enfeebled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Debilitate is more commonly used than enfeeble in everyday language, especially in medical or clinical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between debilitate and enfeeble?
Both debilitate and enfeeble are formal words that are typically used in serious or professional contexts, such as medical reports or academic writing.
