different between enfeeble vs deteriorate

English

Etymology

From Middle English enfeblen, from Old French enfeblir. Constructed like en- +? feeble.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?fi?b?l/
• Rhymes: -i?b?l

Verb

enfeeble (third-person singular simple present enfeebles, present participle enfeebling, simple past and past participle enfeebled)

1. (transitive) To make feeble.
   • 2014, Michael White, "Roll up, roll up! The Amazing Salmond will show a Scotland you won't believe", The Guardian, 8 September 2014:

     In the face of enfeebled, self-harming opposition on both sides of the border (and a miserable economic recession on both sides too) he has performed brilliantly.

   • 1774, Dr Samuel Johnson, Preface to the Works of the English Poets, J. Nichols, Volume II, Page 130,

     "...the gout, with which he had long been tormented, prevailed over the enfeebled powers of nature."

Synonyms

• weaken

Translations

English

Etymology

From Late Latin d?terior?tus, past participle of Late Latin d?terior?, derivative of Latin d?terior (“worse”)

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??t??????e?t/

Verb

deteriorate (third-person singular simple present deteriorates, present participle deteriorating, simple past and past participle deteriorated)

1. (transitive) To make worse; to make inferior in quality or value; to impair.

   to deteriorate the mind

   • 1829, Robert Southey, Sir Thomas More; or, Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society

     The art of war, like every other art, ecclesiastical architecture alone excepted, was greatly deteriorated during those years of general degradation […]

2. (intransitive) To grow worse; to be impaired in quality; to degenerate.

Synonyms

• worsen
• to go off (of foods)
• nerf (gaming term)
• degenerate
• weaken

Antonyms

• ameliorate
• better
• improve
• revamp

Related terms

• deterioration
• deteriorative
• deteriorable

Translations

Italian

Adjective

deteriorate

1. feminine plural of deteriorato

Verb

deteriorate

1. second-person plural present indicative of deteriorare
2. second-person plural imperative of deteriorare
3. feminine plural of deteriorato