weaken

weaken

verb

Definition of WEAKEN

1

to diminish the physical strength of <weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them>

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

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

Antonyms beef (up), fortify, strengthen

2

to lose bodily strength or vigor <the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts>

Synonyms decay, droop, emaciate, fade, fail, flag, go, lag, languish, sag, sink, waste (away), wilt, wither

Related Words break down, wear out; yield; degenerate, deteriorate, rot, run down

Near Antonyms convalesce, rally, rebound, recover, recuperate; gain

3

to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances <weakened the juice with too much water>

Synonyms cut, dilute, extend, lace, sophisticate, thin, water down, weaken

Related Words load; befoul, contaminate, corrupt, defile, dirty, envenom, foul, infect, poison, pollute, soil, spoil, sully, taint; cheapen, debase, degrade; manipulate, misrepresent, tamper (with); counterfeit, fake, falsify, fudge; doctor, spike; attenuate, moderate, qualify, temper

Near Antonyms fertilize, lard; augment, reinforce (also reenforce), supplement; decontaminate, purify; clarify, clean, cleanse, distill (also distil), filter, flush, leach, pasteurize, purge, refine; better, enhance, improve; compact, concentrate, condense

Antonyms enrich, fortify, richen, strengthen