weaken

[wee-kuh n]

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verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

to become weak or weaker.

Origin of weaken

First recorded in 1520–30; weak + -en¹

Related formsweak·en·er, nounre·weak·en, verbun·weak·ened, adjectiveun·weak·en·ing, adjective

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

1, 3. strengthen.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for weaken

Contemporary Examples

Democrats split over moves to weaken Wall Street reforms, and Republicans pouted over lost leverage.
‘Cromnibus’ Passes, But Did Anyone Win?
Ben Jacobs
December 12, 2014
But his voice never seems to crack or weaken, and he's always in motion—jiggling, aerobic walking, jumping, dancing.
The Stacks: Pauline Kael's Talking Heads Obsession
Pauline Kael
November 22, 2014
But the attacks could also weaken the most potent opponents to the dictator Bashar al-Assad.
Al Qaeda Plotters in Syria ‘Went Dark,’ U.S. Spies Say
Eli Lake
September 24, 2014
Assad has been accused of knowingly leaving room for ISIS to grow, the better to weaken the less radical rebels.
Beirut Letter: In Lebanon, Fighting ISIS With Culture and Satire
Kim Ghattas
September 22, 2014
This jives with his previous research that fasting can weaken cancer in mice.
Fasting Might Regenerate Human Immune System
Gregory Ferenstein
June 7, 2014

Historical Examples

It makes the corn grow or the rain fall or the heart of the enemy to weaken.
The Trail Book
Mary Austin
Have hot water in another pot, to weaken the cups of those that like it so.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
It has however served to weaken her prepossessions, and relax the chains of her attachment.
Imogen
William Godwin
Her death did not weaken my resolutions nor slacken my ardour.
The Memoirs of Madame de Montespan, Complete
Madame La Marquise De Montespan
In conclusion he told them that the foundation of their fortune was laid, if they did not weaken.
The Fortune of the Rougons
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for weaken

weaken

verb

to become or cause to become weak or weaker

Derived Formsweakener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for weaken

v.

1520s, from weak + -en (1). The earlier verb was simply weak (late 14c.). Related: Weakened; weakening.

weaken

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}weaken

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for weaken

Contemporary Examples

Democrats split over moves to weaken Wall Street reforms, and Republicans pouted over lost leverage.

But his voice never seems to crack or weaken, and he's always in motion—jiggling, aerobic walking, jumping, dancing.

But the attacks could also weaken the most potent opponents to the dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Assad has been accused of knowingly leaving room for ISIS to grow, the better to weaken the less radical rebels.

This jives with his previous research that fasting can weaken cancer in mice.

Historical Examples

It makes the corn grow or the rain fall or the heart of the enemy to weaken.

Have hot water in another pot, to weaken the cups of those that like it so.

It has however served to weaken her prepossessions, and relax the chains of her attachment.

Her death did not weaken my resolutions nor slacken my ardour.

In conclusion he told them that the foundation of their fortune was laid, if they did not weaken.

weaken

Word Origin and History for weaken

v.

Origin of weaken