1
as in to soften
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to dilute
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weaken
James argued that without safeguards, digital assets could undermine U.S. dollar dominance, weaken national security if individuals anonymously finance criminal operations and fund adversarial regimes, and subject investors to price manipulation in rigged markets.
—
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Iran's air defenses were substantially weakened in missile exchanges last year with Israel.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
While the decrease in releases of Hollywood films will have a slight impact on overall global box office for some blockbuster features, industry sources told CNBC that the real economic issue for Hollywood is the currency weakening.
—Sarah Whitten,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025
China’s own struggles, including a property crisis and 20% youth unemployment, could weaken its resolve, giving Trump an opening to claim victory without full escalation.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Apr. 2025
Iran's air defenses were substantially weakened in missile exchanges last year with Israel.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
While the decrease in releases of Hollywood films will have a slight impact on overall global box office for some blockbuster features, industry sources told CNBC that the real economic issue for Hollywood is the currency weakening.
—Sarah Whitten,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 11 Apr. 2025
China’s own struggles, including a property crisis and 20% youth unemployment, could weaken its resolve, giving Trump an opening to claim victory without full escalation.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
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Bookings are already softening from corporate and leisure customers, especially in domestic markets, although according to Delta, premium and international demand remains strong so far.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
9 Apr. 2025
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Add roast and cook until well browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to slow cooker. Reduce heat to medium and add onions to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize, 8 to 10 minutes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Curiosity fades fast when people don’t feel safe to use it.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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As the skin became more brittle, the hair fell out and the fatty layer beneath began to show more through the years, the white color faded, researchers said.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To take apple cider vinegar before bed, dilute it in water and drink the mixture 2-3 hours before bed to prevent acid reflux.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
7 Apr. 2025
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Sometimes, the healthiest choice is saying no — to overcommitment, to untrustworthy allies, to mission creep that dilutes your impact, or to compromises that undermine your values.—
Jay Ruderman,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Memorial at Florida State University after a fatal shooting killed two people and injured several others.—
Kati Weis,
CBS News,
20 Apr. 2025
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The spill killed 11 people and injured 17 others as 210 million gallons of crude oil were released into the Gulf of Mexico (recently renamed by the U.S. government as Gulf of America) for a total of 87 days.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The production sagged to .214/.239/.312 the next year, leading the Guardians to waive him after the season.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2025
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Here, a patchy pattern of material with that same high seismic velocity sagged to a depth of nearly 600 kilometers, almost to the lower mantle.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The farm voluntarily recalled the onions after the outbreak infected more than 100 people, killing one person.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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One person infected with the virus can infect 9 out of 10 people around them if they are unvaccinated, according to the World Health Organization.—
Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech,
The Hill,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With medical treatment and lost productivity costs of up to $635 billion annually in the United States, pain is expensive as well as debilitating.—
Jessica DuLong,
CNN Money,
11 Apr. 2025
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This same brain circuit might explain the debilitating apathy that millions of people suffering from various chronic diseases experience.—
Adam Kepecs,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Most failed to hit their targets and crashed into the ocean.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Senate Bill 376 by Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, failed to clear the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee in a voice vote with audible dissent.—
Josh Snyder,
Arkansas Online,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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