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

Prices could go higher as investor fervor for the precious metal continues amid a weakening U.S. dollar and strong safe-haven demand while the U.S. government shutdown continues.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Bitcoin and other cryptos have benefited from the so-called “debasement trade,” in which assets such as Bitcoin and gold gain value as fiat currencies weaken.

Read more on Barron's

S&Plowered its rating on the company to B- from B. It said the company’s performance “has weakened due to softness in real estate markets and higher operating costs.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

A mysterious infection that weakened its hosts’ immune systems was killing people at a terrifying rate, while the Reagan administration downplayed and openly joked about the disease.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This two-pronged approach has left the rebels weakened - though they still hold a significant claim over about half of the country.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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