Merriam - Webster Word of the day * enervate *

enervate
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adjective

ener·​vate i-ˈnər-vət 

Synonyms of enervate
: lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor : ENERVATED

enervate
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verb

en·​er·​vate ˈe-nər-ˌvāt 
enervated; enervating
transitive verb



: to reduce the mental or moral vigor of




: to lessen the vitality or strength of

enervatingly 
ˈe-nər-ˌvā-tiŋ-lē 
 adverb
enervation 
ˌe-nər-ˈvā-shən 
 noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between enervate and innervate?
Enervate and innervate are pronounced in a very similar manner and share the Latin root nervus (meaning "sinew"), but they are distinct in meaning. Enervate (as a verb) means "to lessen the vitality or strength of," while innervate means "to supply with nerves."
What is the difference between enervate and energize?
Enervate has the twin misfortune of sharing a beginning with energize and an ending with invigorate, causing many people to assume that it must overlap with these two words in meaning. However, it is roughly the opposite, meaning "to lessen the vitality or strength of." This is a common mistake, but has not yet become so common as to be accepted.
Can enervate be an adjective?
Yes, enervate can function as an adjective, with the meaning of "lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor." An example of such adjectival use can be found in the poem Ode to Drowshood, by Charles G. D. Roberts: "In fervid sunshine, where the Javan palm stirs, scarce awakened from its odorous calm by the enervate wind…."

Synonyms

Verb

• castrate
  
• damp
  
• dampen
  
• deaden
  
• dehydrate
  
• desiccate
  
• devitalize
  
• geld
  
• lobotomize
  
• petrify
  

Choose the Right Synonym for [size=24]enervate

UNNERVE, ENERVATE, UNMAN, EMASCULATE mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.
UNNERVE implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision
ENERVATE suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure
UNMAN implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle
EMASCULATE stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards
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Examples of enervate in a Sentence

Verba lifetime of working in dreary jobs had enervated his very soulthe surgery really enervated me for weeks afterwards

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
This relationship, when successful, tends to enervate mediating institutions that thwart the immediate desires of both the populist leader and the public.[size=18][size=0]—Cameron Hilditch, National Review, 28 Feb. 2021[/size]The saving grace of this often enervating thriller is that Doscher grants time for his actors to build character and intimacy, and both Pinto and Odom offer warm, affectingly natural performances as two people facing the end of their world.[size=0]—Teo Bugbee, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2020[/size][/size]

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'enervate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology
Verb
Latin enervatus, past participle of enervare, from e- + nervus sinew — more at NERVE
First Known Use
Adjective
1603, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of enervate was in 1603