Definition of weakennext
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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 These results indicate that after attaining a maximum value about 2 billion years ago, dark energy may have begun to weaken. Quanta Magazine, 22 June 2026 In November 2025, research was published that suggested the expansion of the universe was slowing, meaning dark energy would be weakening. Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 June 2026 The Supreme Court's move comes almost two months after its conservative supermajority issued a major ruling that further weakened the Voting Rights Act, setting off a groundswell in redistricting across the country. Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 22 June 2026 Aphids can weaken ferns and lead to yellowing fronds. Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for weaken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for weaken
Verb
  • According to Ceconi, these products don’t actually soften, but instead deposit a waxy coating on the fabric.
    Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 June 2026
  • And that's especially critical this July with inflation surging again, wages softening and higher borrowing costs expected to remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • But rental business owners like Zhao observed that the rental prices have begun to slide as novelty surrounding these stunt-performing androids fades.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
  • The combination of hyaluronic and azelaic acid does wonders to fade dark spots, soothe redness, and deeply hydrate.
    Olivia Dubyak, InStyle, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • The expansion was supposed to dilute the product.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • However, stubborn inflation continues to dilute some of this momentum.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • The Jackson County charges came after police accused Sanchez-Munoz in a series of shootings in Kansas City that left one man, Jeremy Keenan, dead and four others injured on June 16.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
  • French and Ukrainian media reported that a Ukrainian magnate and his family were those injured.
    CBS News, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Peptide skin-care products have the unique ability to target a host of skin concerns, from sagging to an impaired skin barrier, in part because there are so many different types of peptides.
    Deanna Pai, Vogue, 24 June 2026
  • During my thirties, sagging skin wasn’t really an issue for me.
    Leah Groth, InStyle, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • If people do get infected, antiviral treatments like oseltamivir already exist and vaccines could follow if cases rise.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • Rabies is often found in bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, but any mammal can be infected.
    Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • They've also been angered by Kennedy's attempts to link vaccines to autism, going against decades of research that show no such link, and his framing of autism as a debilitating disease.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • Fati, once a prodigious talent who broke numerous records and inherited Lionel Messi's number 10 shirt, saw his promising career at the club severely impacted by a series of debilitating knee injuries.
    Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • From 1994 to 2018, Mexico failed to win a World Cup knockout game and, in 2022, failed to advance past the group stage — its worst showing at a World Cup since 1978.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Such a bond occurs when a judge grants a compassionate release for inmates who are in failing health and no longer a threat to the community.
    Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Weaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/weaken. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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