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.

Rather, recession hawks should keep an eye on compounding jolts that could simultaneously weaken the economy and the labor market, he argues.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

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

And, when investors’ trust in the published net asset values starts to weaken, it can trigger a feedback loop of redemption requests.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

It needs only to “get lucky” every now and then to undermine the resolve and weaken the defense of the stronger party.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Germany wanted to stoke unrest there to weaken Britain and distract it from the war in Europe.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words