weaken

American  

[wee-kuhn] / ˈwi kən /

verb (used with object)

1. to make weak or weaker.

   Synonyms:

   invalidate , minimize , impair , reduce , lower , diminish , lessen , deplete , exhaust , sap , undermine , enervate , debilitate , enfeeble

   Antonyms:

   strengthen

2. Phonetics.  to change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring less effort, as from geminate to nongeminate or from stop to fricative.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become weak or weaker.

   Synonyms:

   sap , undermine , enervate , debilitate , enfeeble , invalidate , minimize , impair , reduce , lower , diminish , lessen , deplete , exhaust

   Antonyms:

   strengthen

weaken British  

/ ˈwiːkən /

verb

1. to become or cause to become weak or weaker

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Other Word Forms

• reweaken verb
• unweakened adjective
• unweakening adjective
• weakener noun

Etymology

Origin of weaken

First recorded in 1520–30; weak + -en ¹

Example Sentences

Many companies have held back on hiring as they try to manage higher input costs and weakening orders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their analysis shows that the gradual growth of these fractures weakened the shelf's connection to the pinning point.

From Science Daily

"There had been a conspiracy brewing for a long time to weaken Bangladesh's forces," Rahman said.

From Barron's

Wales were forced to field a weakened side minus their 13 England and France-based players with the match falling outside World Rugby's official Test window.

From BBC

Vietnam's weather bureau said it was moving slowly and expected to weaken further before colliding with the coast next week.

From Barron's

Related Words

• abate
• decline
• decrease
• depress
• dilute
• diminish
• dwindle
• halt
• impair
• lessen
• lower
• reduce
• sap
• soften
• undermine
• wane