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
So, why would Neanderthals carry a gene that potentially weakens muscle output?
—
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2025
Even Echelon Insights, which has at times offered more favorable numbers for the president, showed his position weakening, with approval falling from -4 to -8 (45–53).
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Such an unprecedented step could send the financial markets into a tailspin and over time push up interest rates and weaken the U.S. economy.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
The first-quarter boom in U.S. trade is weakening, with merchandise trade somewhat atypically declining for the second straight month, according to my analysis of the the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2025
Even Echelon Insights, which has at times offered more favorable numbers for the president, showed his position weakening, with approval falling from -4 to -8 (45–53).
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
Such an unprecedented step could send the financial markets into a tailspin and over time push up interest rates and weaken the U.S. economy.
—Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025
The first-quarter boom in U.S. trade is weakening, with merchandise trade somewhat atypically declining for the second straight month, according to my analysis of the the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
—Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
-
By then, Trump had softened his tariff stance and the markets had rebounded accordingly.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 July 2025
-
On the campaign trail, the president spent time courting faith leaders throughout the country, often refusing to soften his language in those venues as well.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
14 July 2025
Verb
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The brand recommends avoiding dabbing or blotting after applying the spray, as this can cause the fragrance to break down and fade.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
15 July 2025
-
The celestial trio will remain close to each other throughout the night, with Saturn and Neptune eventually fading from sight in the southern sky when the sun rises on July 16.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Fill the glass with ice, and repeat with the other glass. 3: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir together the Earl Grey simple syrup, lime juice and smoked paprika until thoroughly chilled and diluted, about 15 seconds.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
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Such critics are concerned that our approach might dilute the sense of urgency necessary and undermine public messaging.—
Francesco Rubino,
Time,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
Shooting comes 3 years after another incident The July 25 shooting comes less than three years after another fatal attack at a University of New Mexico housing building left one student dead and three campus visitors injured.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
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Newcastle insist Isak is injured and that a long-haul flight would not aid his recovery, but the rumour mill will only go into overdrive.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
Verb
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This reaction forms harmful compounds known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which can damage collagen fibers and potentially promote wrinkles and sagging skin.8 5.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
25 July 2025
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Unlike cheaper chairs at this price point (even the Snow Peak!), the mesh lets air flow through and conforms to your body without soaking or sagging.—
Chris Haslam,
Wired News,
16 July 2025
Verb
-
On July 22, the hospital confirmed the patient died from the infection A child in South Carolina has died after being infected with a rare brain-eating amoeba, state health officials confirmed.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
23 July 2025
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In a study published July 22 in Nature Communications, researchers report that living through the pandemic aged our brains—whether or not you were infected with COVID-19.—
Alice Park,
Time,
22 July 2025
Verb
-
Dry eye disease can be debilitating, Brocks stresses.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
21 July 2025
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The virus was debilitating, a friend shared in a Facebook update after Caldwell's eighth round of chemotherapy.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
-
The agency failed to answer thousands of calls from flood survivors after allowing contracts for call-center workers to lapse one day after the disaster, according to The New York Times.—
Zoë Schlanger,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
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Last July, when the blade failed, foam fiberglass and other debris settled to the ocean floor, entered the water table and littered Nantucket beaches for months.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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