etiolate

verb

ˈē-tē-ə-ˌlāt How to pronounce etiolate (audio)
Definition of etiolatenext
as in to weaken
to diminish the physical strength of the long, stressful days and sleepless nights gradually etiolated him

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for etiolate
  1. weaken
  2. soften
  3. waste
Verb
  • But the White House cut its offices and weakened its ability to follow up with cases, as well as slashed funding to research on disparities that people of color face in getting diagnosed and attaining resources for disabilities.
    — Claire Sibonney, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Higher debt can also weaken economic growth by crowding out private investment.
    — Carolyn Bourdeaux, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of weaken
Verb
  • Clarify one detail, soften one assumption, and leave room for a smart edit.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2026
  • That’s because the scent leads with a masculine-leaning opening of almond blossom, pink pepper, and neroli, before softening to its woody vanilla base.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of soften
Verb
  • New Florida women’s soccer coach Nick Zimmerman wasted little time signaling better days are ahead — much sooner than anyone expected.
    — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Lanterns wastes little time explaining this backstory ad nauseam and instead creates an immediately inviting dynamic between him and Hal, who comes to him demanding information on Manhunters.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of waste
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ethos
etiolate
etiolated
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Cite this Entry

“Etiolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/etiolate. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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