ATTENUATE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

attenuate 1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈten-yə-ˌwāt

Definition of attenuate

as in to reduce

to diminish the price or value of an investment attenuated by significant inflation over the years

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

attenuate

2 of 2

adjective

as in attenuated

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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 attenuate

Verb

The design works by tracking how red, green, and blue light attenuate differently as the sensor bends. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026 Even as the Iranians’ capabilities are being attenuated, their intent to attack, if anything, is growing stronger. — Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026 However, other impacts, on small business formation, for instance, are likely to be substantially attenuated. — Jared Walczak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026 Koprowski’s lab, with Plotkin in it, was the first to manage to attenuate polio viruses for use in a vaccine. — Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for attenuate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for attenuate

Verb

Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.

— Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of reduce

Adjective

But Albert Sabin and Koprowski were both — separately — trying to develop oral polio vaccines using live attenuated or weakened viruses.

— Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
Dust icily exposes how character can evaporate in the crucible of greed, but the plodding pace makes this ethical exercise feel attenuated and flat by the time the climax rolls around.

— Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Feb. 2026

Definition of attenuated

Adjective

The more Lal describes Lucero this way, the more everything non-linear about its development makes sense — and Lal himself starts to look less like an accidental developer and more like someone who always belonged here in the first place.

— Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
That’s a linear park that Hialeah wants to create on the narrow strip of land that runs for nearly a mile under the county’s Metrorail tracks between Fourth Avenue and the Hialeah Tri-Rail Station.

— Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

Definition of linear

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attentiveness

attenuate

attenuated

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“Attenuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attenuate. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of attenuate

verb

adjective

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