weaken

[wee-kuhn]

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.

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

/ ˈwiːkən /

verb

1. to become or cause to become weak or weaker

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of weaken¹

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

Example Sentences

The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.

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By the time it reaches Cuba, it is predicted to have weakened to a category three storm.

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"The coalition has been weakened by the ceasefire agreement," said independent analyst Michael Horowitz.

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Analysts say with the PKK weakened and the Kurdish public exhausted by decades of violence, Turkey's peace offer handed Ocalan a chance to make the long-desired switch away from armed struggle.

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“Our market started weakening before it was noticeable most other places,” says Brad O’Connor, the Florida Realtors’ chief economist.

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Related Words

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