Antonyms for "breathes new life into" could include phrases such as "drains the life out of," "stifles creativity," or "uproots originality." These antonyms suggest that instead of revitalizing and reenergizing, something is sapping energy and causing stagnation or decline. Other antonyms could include "dulls the senses," "fosters monotony," or "imposes conformity." Choosing the appropriate antonym for "breathes new life into" depends on the context in which it is used; however, generally, the opposite of revitalization is stagnation, so words that imply lack of movement, growth, or inspiration make for good antonyms.