1
as in softens
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fades
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 dilutes
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakens
An easy monetary policy typically weakens a country’s currency, making exports cheaper and potentially supports growth in the face of tariffs.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
Israel’s destruction of the country’s military infrastructure, including the naval fleet and traditional weapons depots, also severely weakens the new state and reduces its ability to secure the country from internal and external threats.
—Gregory D. Koblentz, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2024
Chronic over-consumption of fluoride is also associated with skeletal fluorosis, in which fluoride accumulation weakens the bones.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024
Research suggests that protein deficiency weakens the immune system by impairing the body's ability to produce antibodies and cytokines.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024
Aspirations of extreme members of Netanyahu’s coalition to annex parts of Gaza and the West Bank, impose military rule in Gaza, or pursue a polarizing domestic agenda that weakens democratic institutions will severely hinder this progress.
—Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
There remain many open questions, notably how the fall of Syria further weakens Iran and what implications this has for Iraq.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Everyone who fell severely ill from the mysterious disease was also severely malnourished, which weakens immunity.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Doing so weakens your home's heating system and is a fire hazard.
—Rabekah Henderson, Southern Living, 20 Dec. 2024
Israel’s destruction of the country’s military infrastructure, including the naval fleet and traditional weapons depots, also severely weakens the new state and reduces its ability to secure the country from internal and external threats.
—Gregory D. Koblentz, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2024
Chronic over-consumption of fluoride is also associated with skeletal fluorosis, in which fluoride accumulation weakens the bones.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024
Research suggests that protein deficiency weakens the immune system by impairing the body's ability to produce antibodies and cytokines.
—Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024
Aspirations of extreme members of Netanyahu’s coalition to annex parts of Gaza and the West Bank, impose military rule in Gaza, or pursue a polarizing domestic agenda that weakens democratic institutions will severely hinder this progress.
—Amos Yadlin, Foreign Affairs, 17 Dec. 2024
There remain many open questions, notably how the fall of Syria further weakens Iran and what implications this has for Iraq.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Everyone who fell severely ill from the mysterious disease was also severely malnourished, which weakens immunity.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakens
Verb
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The care the wizard takes in cooking the simple breakfast, even making sure the fire is literally fed, instantly softens Sophie and the audience to the illusive character.—
Eliana Dockterman,
TIME,
21 Dec. 2024
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In the Axios Macro consensus, inflation remains elevated even as the economy softens, constraining the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates.—
Courtenay Brown,
Axios,
20 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In both places, the virus also infects immune cells that carry it to the lymph nodes, and from there, throughout the body.—
Peter Kasson,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2025
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This highly contagious bird flu infects flocks that must then be culled to prevent the spread of the disease, thereby slashing the number of laying hens and ultimately the stockpile of eggs, ratcheting up the price.—
Catharine Kaufman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The continuing resolution also fails to fund the Toxic Exposure Fund, Mrvan said, which puts health care for veterans — especially those exposed to toxic burn pits, Agent Orange and radiation — at risk.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2025
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All three would probably be gone if the club fails to reach the top four.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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One more plank of the United States' global influence goes dark at the president's whim.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
24 Mar. 2025
-
What kind of preparation goes into that?—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Processing rare earths often involves the use of solvents, which can produce toxic waste that pollutes the soil, water, and atmosphere.—
Jason Neely and Eric Onstad,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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Strong winds fan the fast-moving fires and smoke pollutes the air.—
Ignacio Calderon,
USA TODAY,
9 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakens. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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