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

But the weakening U.S. labor market, above-target inflation, surging government-debt levels and a “more fragmented landscape” driven by protectionist attitudes around the world show the potential problems ahead, the IMF said.

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Given political uncertainty is expected to stay high, the bias of JGB yield curve steepening and yen weakening could persist, the members add.

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Opponents contend that less frequent reporting would deprive investors of timely information and weaken transparency.

Read more on Barron's

Recent jobs data suggest the labor market is weakening.

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“The forces that . . . plagued the region for decades now stand weakened, isolated and totally defeated,” the President said.

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Related Words

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