Enervate
To cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; to weaken or reduce strength or stamina.
verbEnervate
To cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; to weaken or reduce strength or stamina.
verbImagine This
Imagine a sprinter on a scorching day. The heat presses down, each stride feeling heavier than the last, and energy seems to be eaten away until the runner barely moves at all.
Sounds Like
EN-er-vayt
Looks Like
Energy_ate
Remember This
Enervate comes from Latin enervare, meaning to deprive of strength. It is related to the word nerve or sinew, reinforcing the idea of draining vitality.
Other Forms
Connect With
debilitate, weaken, exhaust, sap, fatigue
Note
This term is somewhat formal or clinical; in everyday speech you might use weaken, exhaust, or drain. Do not confuse enervate with energize or invigorate, which mean to increase energy or vitality.
Study Deeper
- The oppressive heat enervated the hikers, leaving them listless after only a mile.
- The long, grueling day enervated her and made it hard to concentrate on the next task.
From Latin enervare, meaning to deprive of strength; from e- (out) + nervus (nerve, sinew).
Energy eaten away = enervate. Think of ENERVATE as 'energy ate' to remember that something drains your energy and weakens you.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Debilitate
verbTo make someone or something weaker or less able to function; to sap strength or vitality.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
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verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
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verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
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