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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 Kehoe’s proposal, however, is the most expansive attempt to weaken it in recent memory. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025 The storm should peak at hurricane strength before weakening into the weekend, but its moisture could push inland even if the storm doesn’t. Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025 While Kiko will be moving into cooler waters and a less conducive atmosphere over the weekend, which could weaken the storm, the state of Hawaii could still face impacts from the storm. Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Kiko is still more than 1,000 miles away from Honolulu and has slightly weakened since late Wednesday, though the storm could become stronger. Solcyré Burga, Time, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
  • All of these things can soften poop and move it through your system more smoothly—which helps keep those nearby blood vessels calm and cool.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 5 Sep. 2025
  • If a fence is involved, soften its lines with greenery.
    Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
  • As the sun set over the East River, the music faded but the warmth lingered.
    Essence, Essence, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Creating majority-Black districts in the South has been a longstanding remedy to the historic dispersal of minority populations across multiple districts to dilute their voting power.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The move would effectively dilute the voting power of Missouri’s largest city, combining the voters in Kansas City’s urban areas with residents living in the rural, Republican-leaning parts of the state.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One of two firefighters injured in a house fire in Fort Worth’s Historic Southside on Wednesday has been released from the hospital, while the other is recovering in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital, officials said.
    Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025
  • McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season, then injured his knee in a Week 13 game in Buffalo, ending his season.
    Matt Barrows, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Fed reduces rates to bolster a sagging economy and raises rates or keeps them higher for longer to curb inflation.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Other issues with rotting, sagging and deterioration were present in other buildings, according to the inspections.
    Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If exposed to an infected person, 90% of unvaccinated people will become infected.
    Judy Stone, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Not everyone infected with TB gets symptoms, but those with active cases can suffer from a persistent cough, including coughing up blood or sputum, chest pain, fever, and fatigue.
    Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, the biggest reasons for optimism coming out of such a debilitating loss are a defense that held up to the test and a defensive line that was dominant in the second half.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Griffin, who does clinical work in Long Island, New York, said his sister-in-law is in her 40s and quite wary of long COVID, the enduring, debilitating health issues that have afflicted millions of Americans who contracted the coronavirus.
    Jorge L. Ortiz, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Ultimately, the Bundys and five others were acquitted of all charges after jurors said prosecutors failed to prove their intent.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on weaken

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