attenuate

[ verb uh-ten-yoo-eyt; adjective uh-ten-yoo-it, -eyt ]

See synonyms for: attenuate attenuated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),at·ten·u·at·ed, at·ten·u·at·ing.

to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value: to attenuate desire.
to make thin; make slender or fine.

Bacteriology, Immunology. to render less virulent, as a strain of pathogenic virus or bacterium.
Electronics. to decrease the amplitude of (an electronic signal): A splitter will attenuate your output.

verb (used without object),at·ten·u·at·ed, at·ten·u·at·ing.

to become thin, fine, or weak; lessen: Over the years, my anger at my family attenuated and I was able to acknowledge the strengths they had given me.

adjective

weakened; diminishing.
Botany. tapering gradually to a narrow extremity.

Origin of attenuate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin attenuātus (past participle of attenuāre “to make thin, reduce”); see at-, tenuis, -ate¹

Other words from attenuate

o·ver·at·ten·u·ate, verb (used with object), o·ver·at·ten·u·at·ed, o·ver·at·ten·u·at·ing.
sub·at·ten·u·ate, adjective

Words Nearby attenuate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use attenuate in a sentence

RNA vaccines were developed as an alternative to the standard method of vaccination using attenuated or inactivated microorganisms.
We Have to Talk About Doubt - Issue 104: Harmony | David Krakauer | September 1, 2021 | Nautilus
By 1885, Pasteur would take his ideas one step further, injecting slurried concoctions containing attenuated rabies virus into the stomach of a young boy to save the boy’s life, and inventing the first lab-made vaccine.
As U.S. COVID-19 Deaths Top the Civil War’s Toll, We're Repeating Disease History | Rachel Lance | August 14, 2021 | Time
Moreover, the chimera was attenuated in mice as compared to the parental mouse-adapted virus, so this would be considered a loss of function.
“We never created a supervirus.” Ralph Baric explains gain-of-function research. | Rowan Jacobsen | July 26, 2021 | MIT Technology Review
The Department of Education did this broad survey on prevention programs attempting to attenuate youth substance and crime and aspects like that.
Policymaking Is Not a Science (Yet) (Ep. 405 Rebroadcast) | Stephen J. Dubner | March 25, 2021 | Freakonomics
The future role of the national agencies will be attenuated—becoming more akin to an airport rather than to an airline.
If Aliens Exist, Here’s How We’ll Find Them - Issue 97: Wonder | Martin Rees & Mario Livio | February 24, 2021 | Nautilus

Israeli retaliation of some kind is probably inevitable, but American influence can do much to attenuate the damage it causes.
The Palestinian Choice—And Ours | Hussein Ibish | November 26, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Her flowing dress of white brocade made no attempt to compress, to sustain or to attenuate.
Tante | Anne Douglas Sedgwick
But before she could attenuate in any way the crudity of her collapse he gave an impatient jerk which took him to the window.
What Maisie Knew | Henry James
The next day he added: "I am still sore vexed about Sherman, but Chenery did his best to attenuate the mischief."
Great Britain and the American Civil War | Ephraim Douglass Adams
Nevertheless, I had risen to make this answer, the ill grace of which I strove to attenuate by the courteousness of my attitude.
Led Astray and The Sphinx | Octave Feuillet
Involucre globular; the imbricated scales coriaceous and appressed at base, attenuate to long stiff points with hooked tips.
The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States | Asa Gray

British Dictionary definitions for attenuate

attenuate

verb(əˈtɛnjʊˌeɪt)

to weaken or become weak; reduce in size, strength, density, or value
to make or become thin or fine; extend

(tr) to make (a pathogenic bacterium, virus, etc) less virulent, as by culture in special media or exposure to heat

adjective(əˈtɛnjʊɪt, -ˌeɪt)

diluted, weakened, slender, or reduced
botany tapering gradually to a point

Origin of attenuate

C16: from Latin attenuāre to weaken, from tenuis thin

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

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