Etiolate is a term used to describe a plant that is deprived of light or grown in darkness. Its synonyms include weaken, debilitate, enervate, devitalize, enfeeble, and sap. These words imply a loss of strength, energy, or vitality, which is similar to the way in which etiolation affects plants. Other synonyms for etiolate include pale, blanche, bleach, fade, and whiten. These words describe a loss of color or vibrancy, which is also a result of etiolation. So whether you're talking about plants or people, there are many words that describe the effects of being deprived of light and energy.