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.

Most known immune checkpoints require interaction with tumor cells to weaken the body's defenses.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

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

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

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

But it warned growth could weaken to just 1.4% if disruptions to transport through the Strait of Hormuz continued and prices of both crude oil and liquefied natural gas remained high throughout 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

But prudence warned me neither to waste the time nor weaken my resolve by too much thought So I reached into my pocket and drew forth the small vial.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words