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:
Flug said that further cuts to education, healthcare and infrastructure could weaken the very foundations of Israel’s future growth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Atmospheric disturbances can cause the air high up to start warming which then makes the vortex winds weaken.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
This ability tends to weaken as we grow older.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
Critics oppose the elimination of the board, saying it would weaken accountability and increase public scrutiny.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
Just enough to weaken Sardothien—to make her dizzy and disoriented.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
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
As this protective regulation weakens, DEAF1 can increase, driving mTORC1 activity higher and further disrupting the processes needed to maintain muscle health.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026
It weakens as it advances, as its outline takes shape in the ether.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
Pork weakened due to abundant EU supplies, limited export opportunities and subdued global demand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
"A quarter-point rise is already widely expected, but the Bank now has to balance inflation that is still too high against an economy where the growth outlook has weakened sharply."
From BBC ● Nov. 5, 2026
It is designed to repair enamel that has been weakened by mineral loss or worn away by erosion, while also reinforcing enamel that remains healthy.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
The falling currency has further weakened the government's ability to buy fuel, most of which the country imports.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
“It says a Nightbeast can normally make this trip in a day, but in a weakened state, it should’ve taken about a month to reach the outer caves of Ravenskill,” Valley said.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
Germany's economy is struggling to pull itself out of long decline driven by weakening demand for its exports, Chinese competition and a range of deep-rooted problems.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
Due to this weakening, the vortex has stretched and briefly split into two smaller circulations around the Arctic.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
But scientists say the vortex is already weakening in early November.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
The finance sector—one area seen as heavily exposed to AI—added 7,000 jobs, but has been in a weakening trend.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
“It’s winter now,” Alys said to them, weakening a bit.
From "Son" by Lois Lowry
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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.
