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.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, saying "such cowardly acts of terrorism cannot weaken the resolve of the people of Pakistan".

From BBC • May 24, 2026

These late-life biological changes can weaken the body's ability to keep earlier damage under control.

From Science Daily • May 22, 2026

The Bank's rate setting committee also takes the general health of the economy into account, and data published on Tuesday showed the jobs market is continuing to weaken as the unemployment rate rose to 5%.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

If the Bank of Japan delays a rate increase even as companies pass on higher costs, that could weaken the yen further by driving real interest rates even lower, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

As May’s grandmother—Eudora—moved to climb the stairs, Jack couldn’t help noticing how her time in the dungeon had seemed to weaken her.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words