Words / C2

EN-uh-vayt/ˈenəveɪt/

To enervate is to take away energy or strength: the heat enervated the team, an enervating routine. Exhaust and drain are everyday; weaken is broader; debilitate is a close medical cousin. Enervating is the common adjective. Formal, slightly literary. A famous trap: enervate looks as if it might mean energise — it means the opposite. In speech, drain of energy is enough. Use it for a draining effect, not a single busy hour you enjoyed.

Meaning

To take away energy or strength (formal).

Examples

• “The heat enervated the whole team.”
• “The heat enervated the whole team; the match became a walk in slow motion.”
• “An enervating round of meetings left no wit for the actual teaching.”

Good to know

Drain of energy (formal). Everyday: exhaust / drain. Close: debilitate. Adjective: enervating. False friend: it does not mean energise.

Near in meaning

drain

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