to exsanguinate
1
9.9
- verb
- /ɛkˈsæŋɡwɪˌneɪt/
:
despojar
- If we continue to ignore maintenance, these policies will exsanguinate our infrastructure over time.
Examples
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The harsh winter will exsanguinate the crops.
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Over time, neglect can exsanguinate a once-thriving community.
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Years of budget cuts began to exsanguinate the public health system, leaving clinics understaffed and underfunded.
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The constant demands of the project threatened to exsanguinate the team's motivation and energy.
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Overworking his team will only exsanguinate their enthusiasm for the project.
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The constant changes in management policies seemed to exsanguinate the employees' motivation.
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If we continue to ignore their needs, we will exsanguinate any chance of success.
Synonyms
83
4.2
Gradually make someone's trust, belief, or support weaker over time
20
7.7
To make a person, animal, or thing weak and less able to work
14
5.6
To slowly make someone or something weaker
14
6.7
Make a person, community, or land poor
13
6.3
To use up almost all of something so little is left
10
9.1
To take away an important part so something loses its power
10
8.8
To make something weaker or less effective
7
8.8
To take away the power of something so it cannot work well
3
5.5
To make a feeling, sound, or pain less strong
2
9.9
Make a contract or decision not valid by law
2
8.4
To make a person or thing very weak
2
9.0
Make someone feel weak and without energy
1
9.8
Make someone or something lose energy and stop working well
1
4.8
Make someone feel very weak and tired
To make a place or group less lively and energetic
To slowly take away energy and interest from people
Antonyms
How Depleted
Surface Forms
Morphology
exsanguinate = sanguinate (semi-transparent) = ex + sanguin + ate
The figurative sense is derived from the literal 'drain of blood' sense (to deprive of vitality), so the morphological relation is clear but the meaning shift to 'deprive of vitality/resources' is metaphorical.
Etymology
Exsanguinate is used in a figurative way with the same image of 'taking blood out': to drain the life or strength from something. So to exsanguinate a team, system, or budget is to remove its energy or resources and leave it weak.