weakens; weakened; weakening
1
: to make (something or someone) weaker, less forceful, less effective, etc.
The disease weakens the immune system.
people (whose bodies are) weakened by hunger
Some are concerned that the increase in taxes will weaken the economy.
The beams had been weakened by water damage.
efforts to weaken environmental laws
The recent setbacks have not weakened our resolve.
These kinds of contradictions weaken your argument.
2
: to become weaker, less forceful, less effective, etc.
The disease causes the immune system to weaken.
The housing market is weakening. [=fewer people are buying houses]
3
of money
: to decrease in value when compared to money from other countries
The dollar has continued to weaken against the euro.
Lower interest rates have weakened the dollar.
Cite this Entry
“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/weaken. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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