Entry Word: weaken

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to diminish the physical strength of <several days of hardship in the desert had weakened them>

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

Related Words cripple, disable, incapacitate; deplete, depress, exhaust, impoverish, unman, wash out; damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure; break down, wear out; paralyze

Near Antonyms energize, invigorate, vitalize; harden, season, toughen

Antonyms beef (up), fortify, recruit, strengthen

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

Synonyms decay, droop, fail, flag, go, lag, languish, sag, waste (away), wilt

Related Words break down, wear out; yield

Near Antonyms convalesce, recover, recuperate; gain

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