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 country's biggest union, Unia, also warned the initiative would weaken labour protections, abolish rules barring discrimination between resident and foreign employees and "open the door wide to wage dumping".

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

An El Niño develops when winds that typically blow east-to-west weaken or reverse.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

The dollar was lower and is likely to weaken further if the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report on Friday shows an unexpected rise in the unemployment rate, TD Securities strategists said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

The team also discovered that melanoma cells can actively weaken the immune system as animals age.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

She could feel her resolve weaken, and her voice faltered as she told him.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words