# debilitating

/dəˈbɪɫəˌteɪtɪŋ/ (US) · /dɪbˈɪlɪtˌeɪtɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/debilitating
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

making someone very weak or making it hard for them to live a normal life. It is often used to describe a serious illness or a very difficult problem.

For teachers: causing a loss of energy or strength; making someone or something weak or infirm. Often used to describe chronic medical conditions or systemic economic issues.

## Examples

- The heat today is absolutely debilitating.
- She suffered from a debilitating back injury that prevented her from working for several months.
- The nation struggled to recover as the debilitating effects of the financial crisis continued to erode public trust in the banking system for over a decade.

## Usage notes

- Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'become', or attributively before nouns like 'illness', 'condition', or 'poverty'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.