enervate

What does “enervate” mean?

verb.to cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; to weaken.

SAT Usage

this verb is often found in passages discussing physical or emotional states, particularly in contexts related to fatigue, illness, or overwhelming challenges. It emphasizes a profound loss of strength or vitality, distinguishing itself from similar words like "exhaust" by suggesting a more debilitating or gradual weakening rather than a temporary depletion of energy.

Common Confusions

Enervate implies a profound and often gradual loss of strength or vitality, while exhaust usually suggests a temporary depletion of energy, often due to exertion or overactivity.

Example Sentences

• The summer heat enervated even the most energetic workers.

• The relentless heat of the sun began to enervate the runners, draining their energy as they neared the finish line.

Word Parts: How to Remember “enervate”

Break “enervate” into its parts: ex- (out of, from). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ex- out of, from (Latin)