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Definitions

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.

The risk/reward of staying in private funds isn’t good because fund performance has started to weaken and there is a risk of higher redemptions in the coming quarters.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Barr said the proposals contain a number of material departures from that agreement, and warned the changes could prompt other countries to weaken their own standards in response.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Gold continued to weaken after spot prices recorded their largest one-week drop since 1983 last week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Oil-price shocks can lead to stagflation, increasing prices for gasoline and food at the same time they weaken demand and the labor market.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

But he didn’t want to weaken his message by varying it one bit.

From "From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler" by E.L. Konigsburg

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.