enfeeble
/in'fi:bl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To make weak or feeble; to deprive of strength: "enfeeble" means to cause someone or something to become physically weak, lacking in vigor, or less powerful. It implies a gradual or significant reduction in strength, vitality, or effectiveness.
Usage and Examples
- Verb:
- The prolonged illness enfeebled his body, making even simple tasks difficult.
- Years of economic mismanagement have enfeebled the nation's industrial capacity.
- The intense heat enfeebled the hikers, forcing them to stop and rest.
Advanced Usage
- "to enfeeble an argument": to weaken the logical force or persuasiveness of a point of view.
- The lack of solid evidence enfeebled the prosecutor's case.
- "enfeebled by age": a common collocation describing the natural weakening associated with growing old.
- Though his mind was sharp, he was enfeebled by age and required constant care.
Variants and Related Words
- Enfeebling (adj): causing weakness.
- The enfeebling disease spread quickly through the population.
- Enfeeblement (n): the state or process of being made weak.
- The general's enfeeblement of the enemy's defenses was a key strategic move.
Synonyms
- Weaken: to make or become less strong.
- Debilitate: to make someone weak and infirm.
- Sap: to gradually weaken or drain of energy or strength.
- Enervate: to cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality.
Antonyms
- Strengthen: to make or become stronger.
- Fortify: to strengthen or reinforce.
- Invigorate: to give strength or energy to.
Related Phrases and Usage Notes
- "enfeeble the will": to weaken someone's determination or resolve.
- The constant propaganda was designed to enfeeble the will of the resistance.
- The verb is typically used in more formal or literary contexts to describe a serious weakening. It is often used in the passive voice (e.g., "was enfeebled").
Verb
- make weak
- Life in the camp drained him