debility
noun
de·bil·i·ty di-ˈbi-lə-tē 
dē-
plural debilities
: weakness, infirmity
Synonyms
- asthenia
- debilitation
- delicacy
- enervation
- enfeeblement
- faintness
- feebleness
- fragility
- frailness
- frailty
- infirmity
- languidness
- languor
- listlessness
- lowness
- weakness
- wimpiness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The disease leads to debility but rarely kills. the debilities of elderly people
Recent Examples on the Web The significant frequency of long Covid, with its potential long-term debility, and the postinfection increased risk of cardiac disease and changes in the brain argue for a high level of caution. 
WSJ, 3 Apr. 2022 At 40, Baudelaire was a shadow of his former self, crushed by unrepayable debts, suffering the aftereffects of a seemingly minor stroke, and facing the onset of syphilitic debility. Washington Post, 11 May 2022 Rereading recently the Snopes and Studs Lonigan trilogies, I was struck by their insight into the emotional debility and ruthlessness of socially mobile men. New York Times, 3 Mar. 2022 And how much of it is a function of the negative way the disease or debility is received by society? Damon Linker, The Week, 21 Dec. 2021 We should be allowed to recognize when a serious condition is exploited simply to showcase debility. Armond White, National Review, 17 Dec. 2021 Death, loss, distemper, debility: these have haunted his art ever since. New York Times, 22 July 2021 The phenomenon of post-viral malaise and debility is not new. Prudy Gourguechon, Forbes, 10 June 2021 The 25th Amendment deals with cases of genuine debility, such as might arise if the president became seriously ill. John Yoo, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2020 See More
WSJ, 3 Apr. 2022 At 40, Baudelaire was a shadow of his former self, crushed by unrepayable debts, suffering the aftereffects of a seemingly minor stroke, and facing the onset of syphilitic debility. Washington Post, 11 May 2022 Rereading recently the Snopes and Studs Lonigan trilogies, I was struck by their insight into the emotional debility and ruthlessness of socially mobile men. New York Times, 3 Mar. 2022 And how much of it is a function of the negative way the disease or debility is received by society? Damon Linker, The Week, 21 Dec. 2021 We should be allowed to recognize when a serious condition is exploited simply to showcase debility. Armond White, National Review, 17 Dec. 2021 Death, loss, distemper, debility: these have haunted his art ever since. New York Times, 22 July 2021 The phenomenon of post-viral malaise and debility is not new. Prudy Gourguechon, Forbes, 10 June 2021 The 25th Amendment deals with cases of genuine debility, such as might arise if the president became seriously ill. John Yoo, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English debilite, from Middle French debilité, from Latin debilitat-, debilitas, from debilis, from de- de- + -bilis; akin to Sanskrit bala strength
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
debility
noun
de·bil·i·ty di-ˈbi-lə-tē
plural debilities
: a weakened state especially of health
Medical Definition
debility
noun
de·bil·i·ty di-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural debilities
: the quality or state of being weak, feeble, or infirm
especially : physical weakness
debility
noun
as in weakness
the quality or state of lacking physical strength or vigor our grandmother's debility is due in large part to her advanced age Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- weakness
- exhaustion
- feebleness
- debilitation
- fatigue
- enervation
- infirmity
- asthenia
- faintness
- languor
- enfeeblement
- frailty
- impairment
- lowness
- injury
- listlessness
- fragility
- decay
- languidness
- disablement
- frailness
- prostration
- decrepitude
- tenderness
- wimpiness
- impotence
- lassitude
- helplessness
- powerlessness
- weariness
- breakdown
- invalidism
- damage
- collapse
- delicacy
- incapacitation
- softness
- harm
- hurt
- impuissance
- defenselessness
- effeteness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- vigor
- strength
- vitality
- hardiness
- hardihood
- robustness
- virility
- energy
- health
- fitness
- huskiness
- muscularity
- stoutness
- lustiness
- hardness
- toughness
- wellness
- sturdiness
- brawniness
- soundness
- ruggedness
- healthiness
- heftiness