Attack of the Verbs: Letter D!

Welcome to an abbreviated attack of the verbs. Due to a crazy work schedule, I’m eating lunch at my desk and throwing these words out as fast as I can!


So, in honor of my current state of being, our letter D word this week is…

Debilitate.

Boy, howdy--this word has some serious connotations to it. Its primary definitions are to incapacitate, to cripple, to make dull. It can also mean to sap, weaken or wear out. (Courtesy of dictionary.com)

A strongly negative verb, no?  For example, which sounds more painful?

He debilitated his soldiers by waking them several times a night for spontaneous exercises.

OR

He wore out his soldiers by waking them several times a night for spontaneous exercises.

Maybe it’s just me, but the first instance sounds stronger, more painful. Either way, debilitate has a definitive connotation.

I'm Pooped. How about you?