weaken

weak·en

verb \ˈwē-kən\

weak·enedweak·en·ing \ˈwēk-niŋ, ˈwē-kə-\

Definition of WEAKEN

transitive verb

1

: to make weak : lessen the strength of

2

: to reduce in intensity or effectiveness

intransitive verb

: to become weak

— weak·en·er \ˈwēk-nər, ˈwē-kə-\ noun

Examples of WEAKEN

1. The disease weakens the immune system.
2. Some are concerned that the increase in taxes will weaken the economy.
3. The beams had been weakened by water damage.
4. efforts to weaken environmental laws
5. The recent setbacks have not weakened our resolve.
6. These kinds of contradictions weaken your argument.
7. The disease causes the immune system to weaken.
8. The dollar has continued to weaken against the euro.
9. Lower interest rates have weakened the dollar.

First Known Use of WEAKEN

1530

Related to WEAKEN

Synonyms

debilitate, devitalize, enervate, enfeeble, etiolate, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, waste

Antonyms

beef (up), fortify, strengthen

Related Words

cripple, disable, hamstring, incapacitate; deplete, depress, exhaust, impoverish, unman, wash out; damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure, invalid, lay up; break down, grind (down), wear down, wear out; paralyze

Near Antonyms

energize, invigorate, recruit, rejuvenate, vitalize; harden, season, toughen

Synonym Discussion of WEAKEN

weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, undermine, sap, cripple, disable mean to lose or cause to lose strength or vigor. weaken may imply loss of physical strength, health, soundness, or stability or of quality, intensity, or effective power <a disease that weakens the body's defenses> . enfeeble implies an obvious and pitiable condition of weakness and helplessness <enfeebled by starvation>. debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality <the debilitating effects of surgery>. undermine and sap suggest a weakening by something working surreptitiously and insidiously <a poor diet undermines your health> <drugs had sapped his ability to think>. cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element <crippled by arthritis>. disable suggests a usually sudden crippling or enfeebling <disabled soldiers received an immediate discharge>.

Rhymes with WEAKEN

beacon, deacon, sleeken