attenuate 1 of 2

Definition of attenuatenext

attenuate

2 of 2

adjective

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 attenuate
Verb
Radically attenuated, the visible weld and bolts are all that remain. Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026 During these years, some vaccines used an inactive virus, which was not as effective as the current vaccine, which is a live, attenuated (weakened) type. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 3 Feb. 2026 China will be their biggest source of external influence but not by a huge margin, and many other countries, including the United States, Australia, India, and Japan, will attenuate Beijing’s sway. Susannah Patton, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2025 But while the first four episodes were well-plotted and sure-footed — building up to episode five’s ambitious Alien remix — the final three have been relatively attenuated. Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attenuate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attenuate
Verb
  • In 1994, American teenager Michael Fay was caned at a Singaporean prison for vandalism, a day after his sentence was reduced from six lashes to four in response to an appeal by President Bill Clinton.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2026
  • In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has—unfairly—been reduced to an excuse to drink tequila and eat guac.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 May 2026
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
Adjective
  • The industrial system of Chicago’s water management — invisible and linear extraction, consumption and disposal of our water resources — is rapidly approaching its limits.
    Alaina Harkness, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
  • Paglen’s ideas, collected between two covers, carve a clean, linear path through our messy neural era, engaging in the kind of big-picture sense-making that books remain well suited to do, even as AI encroaches on this terrain.
    Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • Different strategies in Stage 1 NASCAR alternating the stage lengths in an attempt to curb fuel-saving in the final two stages meant an elongated Stage 1, where teams would be forced to conserve fuel.
    Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The elongated silhouette, flowy bottom, and comfy fabrics make these dresses a popular choice for travel, vacations, beach days, and even some fancier occasions, depending on the material, fit, and overall design.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Attenuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attenuate. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

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