weaken
Americanverb (used with object)
-
weakens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
weakened,
past participle, past
-
weakening
present participle
-
- Synonyms:
- invalidate, minimize, impair, reduce, lower, diminish, lessen, deplete, exhaust, sap, undermine, enervate, debilitate, enfeeble
- Antonyms:
- strengthen
-
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)
-
weakens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
weakened,
past participle, past
-
weakening
present participle
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
weakensimple
-
weakenssimple
-
have weakenedperfect
-
has weakenedperfect
-
am weakeningprogressive
-
are weakeningprogressive
-
is weakeningprogressive
-
have been weakeningperfect progressive
-
has been weakeningperfect progressive
Past
-
weakenedsimple
-
had weakenedperfect
-
was weakeningprogressive
-
were weakeningprogressive
-
had been weakeningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of weaken
Explanation
To weaken is to become less powerful or strong. When a storm weakens, the wind dies down and the torrential rain becomes a light drizzle. If you weaken physically, your strength diminishes: "I did great at the start of the obstacle course, but my arms began to weaken toward the end and I couldn't climb that last wall." You can also weaken in resolve or spirit, like when your sister's criticism of your art project weakens your confidence about including it in an exhibition. This verb comes from weak and its Germanic root meaning "yield" or "soft."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
It can weaken in the second half of winter, typically between January and March, sending bitterly cold air spilling south into Europe, North America and Asia.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
If the winds continue to weaken and end up reversing as forecast, this will be known as a major SSW event.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
Critics oppose the elimination of the board, saying it would weaken accountability and increase public scrutiny.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
They suggest that heating during atmospheric entry, along with cracks left by previous collisions in space, may weaken the rocks enough to explain this unexpected behavior.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 29, 2026
I think of the trail of destruction in my wake—my knees weaken and I slide down to a sitting position.
From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins
This weakens or even reverses the vortex's west-to-east winds, which can split it apart and cause it to spill southward.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
Meanwhile, the global oil market is moving back into surplus as Middle Eastern exports recover and demand weakens, according to JPMorgan.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Before buying a third beneficiary of the build-out, I would ask what it contributes if the spending cycle weakens.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
Together, these symptoms suggested Marfan syndrome, an inherited condition that weakens connective tissues throughout the body.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 14, 2026
The root system of the entire field weakens.
From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan
He adds that Nvidia’s ability to retain a startup-like culture despite its size has been largely driven by its founder, and concerns may emerge that innovation could slow if his leadership is weakened.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
All participants had osteoporosis or fragility fractures, which are breaks that can occur after relatively minor injuries because the bones have become weakened.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 9, 2026
The dollar weakened and gold contracts rose above $4,100 a troy ounce.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026
"It was an unbelievable achievement because in those days you didn't get weakened sides in the competition like you do now with the bigger clubs," Heathcote told BBC Sport.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2026
For a moment Caesar, faced with this happy pair, weakened in his resolve.
From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks
Could the earliest weakening of the polar vortex on record bring UK snow?
From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2026
Sustainability groups say any weakening of the 2030 target will threaten the UK's long-term electrification and climate goals.
From BBC ● Nov. 9, 2026
The shift toward cremation has been driven by changing consumer preferences, weakening religious prohibitions, cost considerations and environmental concerns, according to the National Funeral Directors Association.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 8, 2026
But scientists say the vortex is already weakening in early November.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
But the broader problem, which we shall look at now, is the fact that our chemical attack is weakening the defenses inherent in the environment itself, defenses designed to keep the various species in check.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
