Vocabulary in context
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Enervate
To cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; to weaken or reduce strength or stamina.
verb💡
Imagine 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.
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Sounds Like
EN-er-vayt
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Looks Like
Energy_ate
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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.
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Other Forms
enervatedadjective
enervatingadjective
enervationnoun
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Connect With
debilitate, weaken, exhaust, sap, fatigue
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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.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- 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.
Synonyms
debilitateweakenexhaustsapenfeeble
Antonyms
energizeinvigoratestrengthenrevitalize
Etymology
From Latin enervare, meaning to deprive of strength; from e- (out) + nervus (nerve, sinew).
Mnemonic
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.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
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