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.

For months, investors snapped up precious-metals funds as protection against a potential weakening of the U.S. dollar and uncertainty around richly valued tech stocks.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iran has also been weakened following major blows dealt to its regional allies, including in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

From Barron's

“Years prior to eventual diagnosis, average credit scores begin to weaken and payment delinquency begins to increase, overall and for mortgage and credit-card accounts specifically,” it said.

From MarketWatch

That heat weakens the surrounding material, allowing the rupture to keep moving forward and grow stronger as it spreads.

From Science Daily

This shift alters immune function and weakens the body's ability to respond to disease.

From Science Daily

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words