What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
enervating
Example
The hot weather was enervating, and I felt drained after spending the day outside. [enervating: adjective]
Example
The tedious work was enervating, and I needed a break to recharge my energy. [enervating: gerund or present participle]
debilitating
Example
The disease was debilitating, and she struggled to perform even basic tasks. [debilitating: adjective]
Example
The injury was debilitating, and he had to take time off work to recover. [debilitating: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Debilitating is more commonly used than enervating in everyday language. Debilitating is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while enervating is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between enervating and debilitating?
Enervating may be considered more formal or literary than debilitating, which is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.