weaken

[wee-kuhn] / ˈwi kən /

VERB

reduce the strength of

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate decline decrease depress dilute diminish dwindle halt impair lessen lower reduce sap soften undermine wane

STRONG

adulterate crumble cut debase debilitate devitalize droop enervate exhaust fade fail faint flag impoverish invalidate languish limp lose minimize mitigate moderate relapse relax temper thin tire totter tremble vitiate wilt

WEAK

break up ease up give way lose spirit slow down thin out water down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid assist compliment develop encourage enlarge expand extend grow help increase praise prolong raise rise strengthen

STRONG

achieve activate aggravate agitate animate clean energize enhance excite free improve incite invigorate purify refresh succeed win

WEAK

build up

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She still has to undergo regular tests on her heart and has a weakened immune system, but otherwise has a clean bill of health.

From BBC

The storm damaged homes and a popular beach resort before weakening as it moved inland.

From BBC

Falling oil revenue has dented Iran’s foreign-currency earnings, on which the country depends to pay for imports and support its drastically weakened currency, the rial.

From The Wall Street Journal

But, said Frey, it wouldn’t weaken Minneapolitans’ resolve to defend their city.

From The Wall Street Journal

In Germany, whose trillion-euro defense-and-infrastructure spending package is expected to support growth, taxes are already among the highest in the developed world and raising them further could weaken growth prospects.

From The Wall Street Journal

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words