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.

It can also weaken statistical results and fails to reveal how languages change over time.

From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026

“On the one hand, raising the policy rate to bring down inflation could weaken the economy further. On the other hand, lowering rates to support the economy could risk pushing inflation even higher.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

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

They had to keep Gaia away from her source of power - the earth - and weaken her until she could be defeated.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words