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.

Rather, recession hawks should keep an eye on compounding jolts that could simultaneously weaken the economy and the labor market, he argues.

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

It needs only to “get lucky” every now and then to undermine the resolve and weaken the defense of the stronger party.

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

Turner felt the horror chill and weaken his legs.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

weaken

Example Sentences

Related Words