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Synonym Chooser

How is the word weaken distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of weaken are cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, and undermine. While all these words 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

When would cripple be a good substitute for weaken?

While in some cases nearly identical to weaken, cripple implies causing a serious loss of functioning power through damaging or removing an essential part or element.

crippled by arthritis

Where would debilitate be a reasonable alternative to weaken?

The words debilitate and weaken can be used in similar contexts, but debilitate suggests a less marked or more temporary impairment of strength or vitality.

the debilitating effects of surgery

When could disable be used to replace weaken?

While the synonyms disable and weaken are close in meaning, disable suggests bringing about impairment or limitation in a physical or mental ability.

disabled by an injury sustained at work

When might enfeeble be a better fit than weaken?

The synonyms enfeeble and weaken are sometimes interchangeable, but enfeeble implies a condition of marked weakness and helplessness.

enfeebled by starvation

How are the words undermine and sap related as synonyms of weaken?

Both 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of weaken And 72% of the parents said their households were in a similar or worse situation than a year ago, up from 64% in 2024, while 40% expect the economy to weaken in the next six months. Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025 Flanked by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, Maduro emphasized the loyalty of Venezuela’s military and security forces, signaling that the $50 million reward would not weaken their support. Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Aug. 2025 There’s no telling if the Bermuda High will back off as the season continues, but it is supposed to weaken a bit in the coming days. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025 But these previously unidentified pathogens could have easily caused death in soldiers who had already been weakened from cold and hunger and were living in terrible hygienic conditions. Daniel Lingenhöhl, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
  • There are some signs that the lack of enthusiasm from buyers across the country is translating into softening sales prices.
    Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Cook until the fruit starts to soften, about 5 minutes.
    The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • For people dealing with mental health issues, often those feelings don’t fade on their own.
    Erik S. Hanley, jsonline.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Zwicky, which scans the night sky with a wide-field camera, has a reputation for enabling astronomers to discover transients, or fleeting cosmic phenomena, such as quickly flaring and fading supernovas.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • To the transcendental artist these conventional interpretations of reality are emotional and rational constructs devised by man to dilute or explain away the transcendental.
    Roy Scranton August 20, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2025
  • As brands attempt to expand campaigns across multiple publishers, consistency becomes harder to maintain, and operational inefficiencies start to dilute performance.
    Harshit Jain, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • With Ter Stegen injured and the returning Wojciech Szczesny not yet registered either, having signed a new contract in July after his initial short-term from last September expired.
    Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
  • After hearing more cries for help, searchers found the missing climber, who had been injured, at 4:16 a.m.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The reason the Feds are discussing a rate cut is to address the sagging job market, Pearce says.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Time Warner’s stock price was sagging, and Levin was looking to boost it by selling off assets or buying some new ones.
    John Malone, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Swimmer's itch is a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • Measles is one of the most contagious viruses to infect humans, and can linger in the air up to two hours.
    Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Chronic headaches are an unnerving and often debilitating condition experienced by more than a billion people worldwide.
    Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Williams died by suicide 11 years ago ,on Aug. 11, 2014, at his Paradise Cay mansion in San Francisco, after dealing with an undiagnosed case of a debilitating brain disorder called Lewy Body Dementia (LBD).
    Jack Smart, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • After three bargaining sessions this week failed to produce a new contract, union officials announced Thursday night that Naperville School District 203 teachers will go on strike Tuesday.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Federal officials claimed that Bolton failed to complete a review process to edit out classified information.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

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