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 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

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

Gold continued to weaken after spot prices recorded their largest one-week drop since 1983 last week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Oil-price shocks can lead to stagflation, increasing prices for gasoline and food at the same time they weaken demand and the labor market.

From MarketWatch • 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