as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
the all-too-apparent weakening of our grandfather was hard on our mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in softening
to diminish the physical strength of
weeks of hardship in the desert had greatly weakened them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fading
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the bodybuilder weakened once she eased off on her workouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in diluting
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
weakened the juice with too much water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in draining
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of weakening
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Hurricane center forecasters said additional weakening is expected during the next few days, with Kiko moving toward the west-northwest around 14 mph.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images China's consumer prices fell more than expected in August while deflation in wholesale prices persisted, as calls mounted for Beijing to ramp up measures to bolster sluggish domestic demand and cushion weakening exports growth.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
However, hydrogen comes with problems in weakening metals, causing unexpected cracks and failures.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
In remarks earlier this month, Powell suggested the Fed could start cutting rates as soon as September after a ream of economic data showed the job market weakening.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Powell's recent speeches, and recent data indicating a weakening of the economy, suggest that the next move by the Fed will likely be to lower interest rates in September.
—Robert Hormats, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Fast weakening is expected to begin on Thursday, and Lorena could weaken back to a tropical storm by Friday.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, the labor market is displaying signs of weakening, which argues for lower rates.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The labor market is weakening; today’s revisions were bleak.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Investors expect a rate cut by the Fed at its next meeting in September, although that’s partially because of weakening job numbers.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
In a November 2024 paper, Miran detailed how a tariff-centric approach, aimed at weakening the dollar, could reshape the global trading system in favor of the United States.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
America’s retreat from WHO deepens the damage by weakening global systems for monitoring outbreaks, reviewing evidence and maintaining databases such as the Global Burden of Disease.
—Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
In July's upper-house election, opposition parties campaigning on consumption tax cuts made significant gains, weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Powell had previously cited risks of inflation from tariffs and a weakening labor market as reasons for not lowering rates.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Inflammation can cause vascular disease — the narrowing, weakening or even blockage of blood vessels — that can damage organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver and of course the brain.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Hurricane center forecasters said additional weakening is expected during the next few days, with Kiko moving toward the west-northwest around 14 mph.
—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adek Berry | Afp | Getty Images China's consumer prices fell more than expected in August while deflation in wholesale prices persisted, as calls mounted for Beijing to ramp up measures to bolster sluggish domestic demand and cushion weakening exports growth.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
However, hydrogen comes with problems in weakening metals, causing unexpected cracks and failures.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
In remarks earlier this month, Powell suggested the Fed could start cutting rates as soon as September after a ream of economic data showed the job market weakening.
—Sylvan Lane, The Hill, 3 Sep. 2025
Powell's recent speeches, and recent data indicating a weakening of the economy, suggest that the next move by the Fed will likely be to lower interest rates in September.
—Robert Hormats, Time, 3 Sep. 2025
Fast weakening is expected to begin on Thursday, and Lorena could weaken back to a tropical storm by Friday.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
On the other hand, the labor market is displaying signs of weakening, which argues for lower rates.
—Scott Horsley, NPR, 21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Then the hurricane continued on a more northward path around the islands and finally began weakening after powerful 145 mph winds tapered off.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
Total job growth was revised lower by the largest amount in history, The revisions erased 911 thousand jobs over the full year period, adding to mounting concerns of a weakening labor market and fueling questions as to the reliability of monthly data being used to gauge employment.
—Jj Kinahan, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
The labor market is weakening; today’s revisions were bleak.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Investors expect a rate cut by the Fed at its next meeting in September, although that’s partially because of weakening job numbers.
—Josh Boak, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
In a November 2024 paper, Miran detailed how a tariff-centric approach, aimed at weakening the dollar, could reshape the global trading system in favor of the United States.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
America’s retreat from WHO deepens the damage by weakening global systems for monitoring outbreaks, reviewing evidence and maintaining databases such as the Global Burden of Disease.
—Stan Chu Ilo, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
In July's upper-house election, opposition parties campaigning on consumption tax cuts made significant gains, weakening Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's coalition.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2025
Powell had previously cited risks of inflation from tariffs and a weakening labor market as reasons for not lowering rates.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weakening
Noun
-
Initial jobless claims indicate only a minimal pickup in layoffs and/or deterioration in labor conditions at present, a positive dynamic.—
Jeffrey Schulze,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The largest member of the grass family, bamboo is combustible, susceptible to deterioration and weaker in rain, raising legitimate questions about its durability, Arup’s Ho said.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The economic environment remains foggy, with uncertainty around tariffs and a labor market that, while softening in some areas, remains remarkably resilient in others.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
-
This stands in sharp contrast to struggling sectors like multifamily, which are contending with softening rents and oversupply in formerly high-growth markets.—
Andrew DeNardo,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But with its novelty fading and political scrutiny mounting, its long-term future in America is far from secure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The sturdy plastic housings resist fading and cracking and are brown in color to blend with most outdoor surfaces.—
Miles Walls,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Medrano’s editorial eye—born from her archive of Players magazines—lingers on sensuality’s softness without diluting its danger.—
Skylar Mitchell,
Essence,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Some of the erosion of credibility, young American Jews across the country tell me, stems from those who insist all criticism of Israel is antisemitic, diluting the term's power.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
By aligning strategic work with those rhythms, productivity can feel more natural and less draining.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To avoid wasting time and money, leaders need a simple rule.—
Rishit Lakhani,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
But slow oxygen chemistry has remained a stubborn bottleneck, wasting energy and shortening battery life.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Cracker Barrel was looking to draw new customers, especially younger ones, after years of sagging sales.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Policymakers are widely expected to lower their benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point next week to prop up the sagging job market.—
Scott Horsley,
NPR,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Ultimate Detangler Extra Gentle takes it one step further, creating a paddle brush that’s delicate enough for thinning and damaged strands.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
In addition, mid-level positions are vulnerable as organizations flatten, thinning middle management ranks.—
Ulrik Juul Christensen,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Weakening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weakening. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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