enervate
to weaken, devitalize
TRANSLATION
enervate = schwächen, entkräften, erschöpfen, ermüden (jemanden oder etwas schwächen oder dessen Kraft zerstören)
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
“I worry a bunch that the community justice worker innovation, if it continues to experience the success that it's had recently across a number of states, could ENERVATE efforts to rethink legal services regulation in other ways.”
Legal News (18th July 2025)
—
"Climate anxiety continues to ENERVATE young activists who feel overwhelmed by the scale of environmental challenges" is a statement that reflects the widespread distress and emotional impact of climate change on young people, particularly those actively engaged in climate activism."
Caroline Hickman, et.al. — Electronic Journal (January 2021)
Did you
know?
enervate
verb
- to weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of someone or something
- to reduce the mental or moral vigor of; to lessen the vitality or strength of
- to make someone feel weak and without energy, or to make something less effective
Oxford English Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Cambridge Dictionary
—
WORD ORIGIN
From Latin enervatus past participle of enervare (to weaken, remove the sinews). Literally ex- (out) + nervus (sinew, nerve).
Originally meant to cut the tendons or sinews, rendering something powerless. First recorded in English around 1610, initially with the physical meaning of cutting nerves, later developing the figurative sense of weakening strength or vigour.
—
INSTANT RECHARGE TRICKS
For when you're feeling enervated
1. Cat-Like Stretch: Stand, reach upward, twist gently, and move your spine. This simple stretch revives tired muscles and boosts energy.
2. Scent Snap: Sniff a potent aroma like lemon, peppermint, or coffee beans. The olfactory boost clears mental fog and sharpens focus.
3. 4-7-8 Breath: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Three cycles oxygenate blood, reduce stress, and restore clarity.
4. Cold Splash: Splash cold water on your face or wrists. The temperature shock stimulates the vagus nerve, heightening alertness.
5. Nature Break: Step outside for 3 minutes, touch a tree, or gaze at the sky. Brief nature exposure reduces stress and recharges energy.
6. Contrast Breathing: Hold an ice cube in one hand and a warm mug in the other while breathing rhythmically. The sensory mix sparks alertness.
7. Music Boost: Play an energizing song from your past while stretching gently. The music-movement combo reignites vitality instantly.
8. Earlobe Rub: Rub both earlobes gently for 15 seconds. This subtle stimulation boosts circulation and sharpens mental focus.
—
SYNOYNMS
weaken, debilitate, deplete, devitalize, diminish, drain, ENERVATE, enfeeble, exhaust, fatigue, flag, sap, tire, wear
—
SMUGGLE
OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:
“How do you keep alert and focussed during ENERVATING zoom or team meetings?”
—
P L E A S E S U P P O R T O W A D
On evenings and weekends, I research and write your daily OWAD newsletter together with Helga—my lovely wife and coaching partner—and our eagle-eyed daughter, Jennifer.
It remains FREE, AD-FREE, and ALIVE thanks to voluntary donations from appreciative readers.
If you aren’t already, please consider supporting us — even a small donation, equivalent to just 1-cup-of-coffee a month, would help us in covering expenses for mailing, site-hosting, maintenance, and service.
Just head over to DonorBox:
Please help keep OWAD alive
or
Bank transfer:
Paul Smith
IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40
Important: please state as ’Verwendungszweck’: “OWAD donation” and the email address used to subscribe to OWAD.
Thanks so much,
Paul, Helga, & Jenny Smith
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Feedback, questions, new word suggestions to: paul@smith.de
- OWAD homepage, word archive, FAQs, publications, events, and more: www.owad.de
---
- To unsubscribe from OWAD, CLICK HERE
